The Meteorological Services Department (MSD) has unveiled a major upgrade to Zimbabwe’s national weather-forecasting framework — transforming it from a routine predictor into a life-saving early-warning system designed to protect lives and livelihoods.
MSD director Rebecca Manzou said the department is aligning its operations with the global goal of achieving “Early Warning for All by 2027.” The new system brings forward forecast schedules and adds monthly updates so citizens can respond faster to changing weather patterns.
“This is the first time we are upgrading our forecast system,” Manzou said.
“We used to release forecasts in September or October and only update them in January or February. But the climate is shifting too quickly — communities now need real-time information they can act on.”
Manzou said Zimbabwe’s painful lessons from Cyclone Idai had underscored the need for preparedness, stronger coordination, and clear communication in languages people understand.
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“On our own, we cannot reach everyone,” she added. “Weather warnings must be simple, local, and timely if they are to save lives.”
The 2025/26 rainy season is expected to bring normal to above-normal rainfall across most provinces, with warmer-than-average temperatures in the early months. The department will now issue rolling monthly updates until the end of the season.
In collaboration with the Civil Protection Unit (CPU), the MSD has issued a warning of heavy rains, strong winds and lightning between Wednesday 5 and Friday 7 November.
A thick cloud system is approaching from Botswana, expected to merge with southeast moisture and cause rainfall exceeding 50 mm in parts of Matabeleland North and South, Bulawayo Metropolitan, Midlands, Manicaland and Harare Metropolitan.
Citizens are urged to stay alert for:
- Flash floods in low-lying areas and river basins
- Fallen trees and power-line hazards
- Slippery roads and poor visibility
“Our forecasts are no longer about predicting weather,” Manzou said. “They are about protecting people.”
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