Climate Prediction Center’s Africa Hazards Outlook July 23 – 30, 2015
A delayed onset of rainfall is leading to abnormally dry conditions in Chad as well as Senegal and Gambia.
Moisture deficits worsen further in southeast Sudan, Eritrea and northwest Ethiopia with a continued lack of rainfall.
1) A delayed onset of the rainy season, followed by poorly-distributed rainfall, has led to abnormal dryness across Burkina Faso, the central and northern parts of Ghana, Togo, and Benin, western and southern Niger, and northern Nigeria. The lack of rainfall has already negatively affected cropping activities over many local areas.
A delayed onset and general lack of rainfall has resulted in abnormal dryness across extreme western portions of Ethiopia, western Eritrea, and eastern Sudan. The most impacted states in Sudan are Gadaref, Sinar, and Blue Nile, including important agricultural regions where much planting is being delayed.
Infrequent and light rains since the beginning of the season have led to insufficient rainfall totals to date for some southern portions of chad. Affected regions include Batha, Biltine, and Ouaddai. A rainfall performance between 5 and 50% of normal,so far, has already led to low soil moisture and poor conditions for vegetation.
A slightly delayed start to the season with only sporadic light rains in recent weeks has resulted in abnormal dryness for Gambia and central areas of Senegal. Dry ground conditions have reportedly led to delayed planting and negatively impacted the health of livestock.
