The Global Weather Hazards Summary notes La Niña conditions influencing global weather between January 23 to 29, 2025, with flooding risks in Eastern Southern Africa and dryness in southern Colombia. Central Asia anticipates unusually cold weather. Somalia is suffering from drought while heavy rainfall continues to cause floods in several African regions.
The Global Weather Hazards Summary for January 23 to 29, 2025, reports ongoing La Niña conditions in the equatorial Pacific. Regions experiencing heightened flooding risks include eastern Southern Africa and the Atlantic coasts of Central America, while southern Colombia continues to face significant dryness. Additionally, Central Asia is bracing for unusually cold temperatures this week.
In Africa, heavy rains have resulted in flooding across eastern Southern Africa, with Somalia suffering from drought following inadequate rainfall. The Sudd wetlands in South Sudan still endure inundation, while drought conditions persist in central and southern Somalia due to insufficient precipitation. Furthermore, abnormal dryness spans central Angola, eastern Zambia, Malawi, northern Mozambique, and eastern Madagascar, with Madagascar’s east-central and eastern coasts severely affected by drought.
Hot weather conditions are predicted for southern Mauritania, central and southern Mali, central Kenya, southern Namibia, as well as western and central South Africa in the upcoming week. Meanwhile, the east-central Democratic Republic of Congo continues to deal with flooding, exacerbated by the passage of Tropical Cyclone DIKELEDI, which has caused additional flooding in northern Madagascar and northern Mozambique. Recent heavy rainfall has also led to flooding in eastern Botswana, as well as parts of southern and northern Zimbabwe, central and eastern South Africa, and southern Mozambique. Forecasts indicate more heavy rainfall in Madagascar, maintaining a considerable risk for flooding in the region and previously inundated areas.
La Niña refers to a periodic cooling of ocean surface temperatures in the central and eastern tropical Pacific, which can influence weather patterns globally. During La Niña events, certain regions often experience increased precipitation, leading to flooding, while others may encounter severe droughts. This summary highlights the affected regions and the current challenges they face due to ongoing weather phenomena, emphasizing the impacts on local communities and ecosystems.
In conclusion, the period from January 23 to 29, 2025, has been marked by significant weather hazards globally, particularly in areas affected by La Niña. Africa faces a stark contrast of flooding and drought, affecting various nations directly. The persistent adverse weather highlights the need for preparedness and response measures in regions vulnerable to climate variations.
Original Source: reliefweb.int