Posted by By Bekai
The Gambia will expect first showers of rain in 2019 around mid- June in parts of the Upper River and Central River Regions, according Fisheries Ministry PS, Dr. Bamba Banja.
Dr. Banja made this disclosure on Tuesday while presenting the 2019 rainy season climate forecast at the Department of Water Resources in Banjul.
He outlined that to understand the forecast, one must understand that seasonal forecasting relies on prediction of averages over space and time, and may not reflect all the various factors that influence regional and national climate differences.
The forecast, he said, is relevant only for the entire season and within relatively large areas, since local and month-to-month variations may occur.
Dr. Banja indicated that rainfall results are usually expressed as being either below normal, normal or above normal and the forecast is only valid for the combined period of July, August and September (JAS), when approximately 80% of the total seasonal rainfall occurs in the sub region, including The Gambia.
“2019 rainfalls are expected on 15th June in the Upper River and Central River Regions. It is expected in the Lower River, West Coast, North Bank Regions, Kanifing Municipality and Banjul around June 25th. The cessation of rainfalls are expected after 15th October in the East half and after 25th in the Western half,” he said.
Fisheries PS further hinted that long spells of about 4 to 12 days are expected during both the beginning and end of the season.
However, he noted that it is worthy of note that 2019 rainfall season is expected to undergo similar variability as in the 2018 season.