Zimbabwe braces for thunderstorms, hail and localised downpours
The Meteorological Services Department has warned of scattered thunderstorms, strong winds, localised heavy rain and possible hail across Zimbabwe over the coming days, with storm activity expected to move from the south and west towards parts of the north.
The alert covers a number of provinces over the weekend and into Monday, 9 November. While the rain may offer a welcome start to the summer cropping season in some areas, officials have urged residents to prepare for lightning, sudden downpours, damaging winds and the possibility of flash flooding.
MSD Deputy Director Isaac Masawana said a cloud band moving from Botswana was expected to bring rain first to western parts of the country before spreading north. “There is a cloud band emanating from Botswana to the western side of the country in Matabeleland and the Midlands and by Monday will cover the northern side of the country. We urge people to be on high alert as the rains will be characterised by hailstorms.”
The initial forecast names Matabeleland North, Matabeleland South, Bulawayo Metropolitan, Midlands, Masvingo and Manicaland as areas likely to experience thunderstorms from Saturday through Sunday. The alert specifies that scattered storms, with possible hail and localised heavy downpours, are expected across these provinces from Sunday afternoon.
On Monday, the focus is expected to shift towards Harare Metropolitan, Mashonaland East, Mashonaland Central and parts of Manicaland, while Masvingo also remains among the areas named in the warning. The timing and strength of storms can vary between districts, and residents have been advised to follow official updates as the system moves.
The Department of Civil Protection has cautioned that intense rain could cause flash flooding, particularly in low-lying areas, urban centres and communities close to rivers. Water can collect quickly during a localised downpour, making roads and crossings hazardous even when rain has not fallen heavily across a wider area.
Thunderstorms also bring a risk of lightning strikes. The warning notes that people, livestock and property may be exposed, while strong winds could damage roofs, bring down trees and affect crops. Hail may also harm fields and other agricultural production where storms develop.
Residents have been urged to take shelter in sturdy buildings when lightning or heavy rain begins and to remain indoors until the storm has passed. People should avoid sheltering under trees, near power lines or beside tall metal structures. Loose items around homes should be secured, rooftops checked and overhanging branches trimmed where it is safe to do so.
Motorists and other travellers have been advised to postpone non-essential journeys when severe weather develops. Drivers should take particular care around flooded roads and river crossings, where water levels may rise rapidly. Residents have also been encouraged to heed any instructions issued by civil protection authorities and to check the MSD’s official channels for updates.
The forecast arrives as farmers prepare land and inputs for the 2026/27 summer cropping season. Chief Agronomist Ivan Craig said planting should be guided by the moisture available in each area, with drought-tolerant crops suited to local conditions. He said farmers should prioritise varieties appropriate to their agro-ecological regions as the season is expected to be influenced by El Niño.
“Yes, El Niño is upon us, but farmers are optimistic with Pfumvudza/Intwasa to get a harvest; they have received inputs and have done over 12 million plots so far. We encourage everyone to plant drought-tolerant varieties according to their ecological regions,” he said.
Craig also advised farmers to wait until their fields receive more than 20 millimetres of rain before planting, and encouraged households to establish sorghum plots. About 800,000 hectares of Pfumvudza/Intwasa plots have been prepared, against a target of one million hectares, as farmers ready themselves for the season.
The MSD’s national outlook says the 2026/27 season is expected to be shaped by El Niño conditions and a positive Indian Ocean Dipole during the early months. It projects below-normal rainfall across the country from October to December, followed by normal to below-normal rainfall in southern and western areas from January to March, with below-normal rainfall expected elsewhere. Warmer-than-normal temperatures are also forecast during the first three months of 2027.
The seasonal outlook describes an erratic start, with many areas facing a delayed or ineffective onset of the rains. That national picture does not rule out intense local storms: individual downpours can bring heavy rain, hail and strong winds even while the wider season is expected to be drier than normal.
Zimbabwe has already experienced severe rain-related impacts in the past year. Government figures cited in an International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies emergency update recorded at least 109 deaths, 61 injuries and 8,295 households affected after heavy rains from 13 to 24 January 2026. The update said incidents included drowning, lightning strikes, collapsing structures and vehicles swept away while attempting to cross flooded rivers.
The same update recorded damage to at least 334 houses, 236 schools, 15 health facilities and 21 bridges, as well as disruption to road networks. Those figures relate to the January flooding and are separate from the current forecast; no damage from the storms now expected was included in the warning. The earlier impacts underline the range of risks that heavy rain can bring to homes, transport routes, schools and farms.
For the coming days, authorities are asking communities to stay alert, protect people and property where possible, and respond promptly to worsening weather. MSD and the Department of Civil Protection say further updates will be shared through official media channels as the forecast period progresses.