Government will begin issuing 10-day weather bulletins alongside daily forecasts and monthly seasonal updates, as part of measures to strengthen preparedness for the 2025/26 rainfall season.
This was announced, no Tuesday, by the Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Dr Jenfan Muswere, during a post-Cabinet media briefing in Harare.
Dr Muswere said the move follows expert advice from the Meteorological Services Department (MSD) under the Ministry of Environment, Climate and Wildlife, which highlighted high variability in the upcoming rainfall season.
“Cabinet wishes to advise that the Meteorological Services Department will continue to monitor seasonal climate indicators that influence Zimbabwe’s rainfall as they evolve. Thus, the seasonal rainfall predictions will be updated on a monthly basis. In addition, there will be daily weather forecasts and 10-day weather bulletins that will take into account any changes,” said Dr Muswere.
According to the MSD, the 2025/26 rainfall season is expected to mirror last year’s pattern.
A delayed and erratic start, with dry conditions in October and November, is likely in northern provinces. Meanwhile, southern and western regions may experience normal to above-normal rains earlier in the season.
“Prospects for improvement will be realised nationally from December onwards, though the northern areas may dry out again later in the season,” Dr Muswere explained.
He stressed the need for proactive risk management, including delayed planting by dryland farmers, robust water conservation, and preparedness for both dry spells and extreme events such as floods.
Government has urged farmers to pay close attention to the forecasts and to plan their agricultural activities accordingly, noting that accurate, timely weather updates would be critical to safeguarding food security.
Meanwhile, a survey conducted by The Harare Post has revealed that land preparation is already underway on many farms, with some farmers having sown tobacco seedlings in readiness for the forthcoming season.
The early preparations underscore the agricultural sector’s cautious optimism despite warnings of weather variability.
Agricultural experts say that farmers’ responsiveness to forecasts, coupled with Government’s strengthened weather communication system, will be key to mitigating losses and maximising yields in the coming season.
The tobacco sector in particular, which remains one of Zimbabwe’s top foreign currency earners, is expected to benefit from timely weather updates that inform planting and crop management decisions. Government’s enhanced forecasting and reporting programme is part of broader efforts to build resilience in the agricultural sector and prepare communities for the impacts of climate change.
