The weather agency forecasts showers and thunderstorms in parts of the Lake Victoria basin, western regions, northeastern highlands and coastal areas, while Dodoma, Singida and Ruvuma are expected to remain dry.
By Habitat Media Reporter
Dar es Salaam. Rain is expected to continue in parts of Tanzania until October 31, 2026, with some areas likely to experience showers accompanied by thunderstorms, the Tanzania Meteorological Authority (TMA) has said.
In its weather outlook for October 21–31, the authority forecast rainfall across the Lake Victoria basin, western regions, northeastern highlands and coastal areas, although the intensity and distribution of the rain will vary from one zone to another.
The Lake Victoria basin, covering Kagera, Geita, Shinyanga, Mwanza, Simiyu and Mara regions, is expected to experience showers accompanied by thunderstorms in a few areas.
In the northeastern highlands, which comprise Arusha, Manyara and Kilimanjaro, isolated showers are forecast, particularly during the last five days of October.
Similar conditions are expected along the northern coast, covering Tanga, northern parts of Morogoro, Pwani, Dar es Salaam and the islands of Unguja and Pemba. Some areas are likely to receive rain, particularly during the final five days of the forecast period.
In western Tanzania, Kigoma, Katavi and Tabora regions are expected to experience isolated showers accompanied by thunderstorms.
However, TMA forecast predominantly dry conditions in the central zone, comprising Dodoma and Singida, as well as the southern zone, covering Ruvuma and southern parts of Morogoro.
In the southwestern highlands, which include Rukwa, Songwe, Mbeya, Njombe and Iringa, isolated light showers are expected.
Meanwhile, Lindi and Mtwara regions are forecast to receive occasional showers in a few areas, particularly during the last five days of October.
Weather systems
TMA attributed the expected rainfall pattern to changes in atmospheric pressure systems in the northern and southern hemispheres, alongside sea surface temperatures in the Indian Ocean.
According to the authority, the Azores and Siberian high-pressure systems in the northern hemisphere are expected to strengthen, while the St Helena and Mascarene high-pressure systems in the southern hemisphere are forecast to weaken.
These changes are expected to influence the position of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), which is projected to remain south of its usual position while extending across parts of the Lake Victoria basin and western Tanzania.
TMA also forecast above-average sea surface temperatures in the western Indian Ocean, near the East African coast, compared with the eastern part of the ocean near Indonesia.
The authority said this temperature difference was expected to strengthen the flow of moisture-laden winds from the ocean towards the coast and northeastern highlands, supporting rainfall in those areas.