Director of Climate Change and Meteorological Services in the Department, Jolam Nkhokwe, says, for example, normal to above rainfall is expected from October to December, 2021 in most areas.

“During the period October to December 2021, normal to above normal total rainfall amounts are expected in most areas across the country, with some pockets of normal to below normal total rainfall amounts over southern areas.

“During the period January to March 2022, normal to above normal total rainfall amounts are expected over most areas across the country, with some pockets of normal to below normal total rainfall amounts expected over northern areas,” he said.

He, however, told journalists in Blantyre this afternoon that there is a likelihood of prolonged dry spells and floods in some parts of the country.

“However, extreme weather events such as heavy rains leading to floods are likely to occur in prone areas while some parts of the country may experience pockets of prolonged dry spells during the season.

“Global models are projecting a weak La Nina conditions during the 2021/2022 rainfall season. La Nina phenomenon is unusual cooling of waters over the Eastern Central Equatorial Pacific Ocean which are known to bring more rains over Southern Africa including Malawi,” he said.

The period October to April is the main rainfall season over Malawi.