Bikita records 91mm as thunderstorms sweep across Zimbabwe
Bikita in Masvingo province recorded 91 millimetres of rain on Sunday as thunderstorms swept across Zimbabwe, bringing heavy falls to parts of Masvingo, Manicaland and Harare Metropolitan provinces.
The Meteorological Services Department (MSD) said thunderstorms affected the country during the day and continued overnight in some areas. The rainfall readings showed a sharp difference between locations, with Bikita recording the highest total and several other stations measuring more than 40mm.
“The highest rainfall amounts were recorded at Bikita (91mm), Kutsaga (82mm), Buhera (54 mm), Logan Park (46mm), Harare Royal Golf Club (46 mm) and Wedza (46mm). The remaining areas recorded rainfall amounts of less than 40mm,” said the department.
Bikita’s total was 9mm higher than the 82mm recorded at Kutsaga. Buhera measured 54mm, while Logan Park, Harare Royal Golf Club and Wedza each recorded 46mm. The MSD said rainfall elsewhere remained below 40mm.
The rain came as Zimbabwe moved into a week of changing conditions, with warm to hot afternoons expected in many areas and a risk of isolated thunderstorms developing as the week progresses. The outlook points to regional differences: the south and east were forecast to have cloud, wind and a chance of light rain early in the week, while northern and central areas could see warmer afternoons and isolated storms.
For Tuesday, the MSD forecast briefly cloudy, windy and cool conditions in the morning across Bulawayo Metropolitan, Matabeleland South, Masvingo, southern parts of the Midlands and Manicaland. Light rain or drizzle was possible before temperatures rose in the afternoon.
“Briefly cloudy, windy and cool at first with a chance of light rain and drizzle. Becoming warm in the afternoon,” said the department.
Matabeleland North, northern parts of the Midlands, Harare Metropolitan and all Mashonaland provinces were expected to have partly cloudy and mild conditions in the morning, becoming warm later in the day. Isolated thunderstorms were possible in those areas, with cooler conditions expected overnight.
For Wednesday, the MSD forecast partly cloudy and warm weather across the country for much of the day, with isolated thundershowers possible in some places. Mornings and nights were expected to be mild.
“Partly cloudy and warm for much of the day with a chance of isolated thundershowers in some areas. Mild in the morning and overnight,” said the MSD.
The broader outlook through November 18 describes mostly sunny, hot conditions at first, followed by increasing cloud cover and a greater chance of scattered afternoon showers and thunderstorms towards the middle and end of the period. Daytime highs across many towns were forecast to range broadly from the upper 20s to low 30s Celsius, while lower-lying and hotter areas could reach 32°C to 37°C. Night-time temperatures were generally expected to remain in the mid-teens to low 20s, depending on location.
In Harare, mild mornings were expected to give way to warm or hot afternoons. Cloud would linger through midweek, with clearer and hotter weather possible over the weekend before a change towards light rain and showers around Wednesday, November 18. Overnight lows were forecast to sit broadly between 14°C and 18°C.
Bulawayo was expected to remain hot and mostly dry for much of the week, with stronger afternoon winds and highs reaching about 31°C to 32°C. Overnight temperatures were forecast at 16°C to 19°C. The chance of rain was described as low until cloud builds later in the outlook period.
Mutare’s forecast was more humid, with pleasant mornings and warm afternoons. Daytime highs were expected to reach 28°C to 30°C, while overnight lows would range from 15°C to 19°C. Sunny spells were forecast over the first few days, with more cloud and scattered light drizzle possible towards the end of the week as moisture increased over the Eastern Highlands.
Gweru was expected to have sunny spells and brisker evening breezes, with highs of 27°C to 31°C and lows of 14°C to 18°C. Clear intervals could bring strong midday sunshine, but cloud was forecast to increase after the weekend, with a chance of afternoon thunderstorms by the following Wednesday.
Further west, Victoria Falls was forecast to be among the hottest locations, with mostly clear skies and highs of 34°C to 36°C. Overnight temperatures were expected to range from 19°C to 22°C. Conditions were forecast to stay hot and largely dry through the week, with only limited cloud expected to develop towards the weekend.
Masvingo was expected to have warm mornings followed by very hot, hazy afternoons. Highs were forecast at 30°C to 33°C, with lows of 16°C to 18°C. Mostly sunny intervals were expected early in the week, before increased moisture from Friday brought partly cloudy skies and a small chance of isolated afternoon storms.
Chinhoyi was also forecast to be hot and humid, with highs of 31°C to 34°C and overnight lows of 15°C to 17°C. Clear skies were expected through midweek, with cloud thickening later and brief, isolated showers possible. Kwekwe was forecast to have bright, hot days, gusty afternoon winds, highs of 31°C to 33°C and lows of 16°C to 19°C. Sunshine was expected to dominate initially, with more cloud developing after the weekend ahead of possible midweek thunderstorms.
Beitbridge was forecast to experience the strongest heat, with daytime highs of 35°C to 37°C and night-time lows of 21°C to 24°C. The outlook described hot, dry conditions and little cloud cover through the period. Across northern and eastern districts, including parts of Manicaland and Mashonaland, localised heavy rain and thunderstorm activity were also possible as moisture increased during the middle of the week.
The forecast’s changing pattern means hot, sunny spells could occur alongside isolated downpours, rather than rain falling evenly across the country. Zimbabwe’s wider seasonal outlook has described the start of the 2026/27 rainy season as erratic, with October to December expected to be drier than normal overall. The MSD’s seasonal bulletin also projects warmer-than-normal conditions, although individual storms can still produce substantial rain in a short period, as the Bikita and other station readings show.
The latest downpours followed a weather advisory issued ahead of the storms by the MSD and the Department of Civil Protection. It warned of scattered thunderstorms, strong winds, localised heavy rain and possible hail across parts of the country from the weekend into Monday.
The warning covered Matabeleland North, Matabeleland South, Bulawayo Metropolitan, Midlands, Masvingo and Manicaland for the first period of storm activity. On Monday, thunderstorms were expected to affect Harare Metropolitan and the Mashonaland provinces, as well as Masvingo and parts of Manicaland. The observed rainfall on Sunday was consistent with the forecast focus on parts of the south and east, as well as the capital region.
The Civil Protection Department warned that intense local downpours could lead to flash flooding in low-lying areas, urban centres and communities near rivers. Fast-rising water can make roads and river crossings dangerous, including in places where heavy rain has been confined to a small area. The advisory also highlighted lightning risks to people, livestock and property.
Strong winds can lift roofing sheets, damage homes, bring down trees and affect crops. Hail can also harm fields and other agricultural production. The MSD and civil protection authorities urged people to shelter indoors when storms approach, secure loose items around homes and follow official updates as conditions change.
The advice follows a destructive hailstorm in Masvingo town on October 5, when homes and church buildings in several suburbs were damaged by heavy rain, hail and strong winds. In Rujeko, Mucheke, Victoria Range and surrounding areas, roofs were torn off, windows broken, trees uprooted and buildings flooded.
Seven United Methodist properties were reported damaged in the storm. At Rujeko United Methodist Church, roofing sheets were ripped away and the ceiling collapsed. Homes were also left with damaged roofs and waterlogged rooms. Civil protection assessments at the time reported no injuries in the city, although checks were still under way.
The October storm was a separate event from this week’s rainfall, but it showed the kind of damage that hail and intense downpours can cause. The current outlook points to isolated thunderstorms rather than continuous rain in every province, so weather conditions may differ from one district to another.
The MSD has urged people to take precautions while storms continue to affect parts of the country. It advised residents to carry raincoats where possible, secure loose infrastructure and move indoors when thunder is heard. People should not seek shelter under trees, and the department also urged the public to drink enough water and remain hydrated.
“Carry a raincoat where possible. Secure loose infrastructure. When thunder roars, it is best to be indoors,” said the MSD.
Motorists and travellers have also been urged to take care around flooded roads and river crossings, where water levels can rise quickly. Residents should avoid standing near power lines or tall metal structures during lightning and stay away from trees that could be struck or brought down by wind.
With further warm conditions and isolated showers in the forecast, the MSD’s day-by-day updates remain important for residents, farmers and travellers planning activities in different parts of Zimbabwe. Bikita’s 91mm total is the highest recorded in the latest round of rainfall readings, while forecasts for the rest of the week point to a mix of heat, cloud and locally developing storms.