By CHIMPREPORTS
The Uganda Meteorological Authority (UNMA) has said Uganda is experiencing high temperatures ahead of heavy rains beginning March, 2024.
“Above average temperatures are always evident during the month of February as the onset of the March April May Rainfall season is nearing,” said UNMA in a brief statement on Saturday night.
“These are high temperatures, not heat waves,” said the government body.
Evelyne Nyakato, a newspaper vendor in Kampala, said, “This could be one of the hottest month I have seen in many years.”
She further said the “weather is too hot that I leave the city before mid-day. You can’t afford to bear the heat in the afternoon.”
For Elias Kiggundu, a soft drinks vendor in Lukaya, “the unbearable heat is good for business because I get more customers to buy water and soft drinks to quench their thirst than wet seasons.”
Straddling the equator, Uganda has little year-round fluctuation in temperature.
The hottest months are January and February when the average daytime range is 24°C to 33°C (75°F to 91°F) with peaks of up to 40°C/104°F in the far north.
These temperature projections stem from various climate drivers influencing Uganda’s weather patterns in February.
Factors such as the prevailing El Nino conditions, Equatorial Sea Surface Temperatures, Indian Ocean Dipole, and the influence of high-pressure systems alongside local geographical features all contribute to shaping the country’s climate outlook.
Impact
Bob Ogwang, the Executive Director of UNMA, recently said despite the warmth expected, concerns arise regarding potential impacts on various sectors.
“The persistent dry conditions coupled with high temperatures may lead to increased incidents of respiratory and eye diseases due to dusty and windy conditions,” said Ogwang.
“Furthermore, reduced pastures for animals and potential water resource depletion could aggravate human-wildlife conflicts and agricultural challenges. Additionally, there is a heightened risk of malaria outbreaks due to favorable conditions for mosquito breeding.”
In response to these forecasts, UNMA issued several advisories aimed at mitigating potential adverse effects.
These include community health education campaigns, increased surveillance of disease incidences, stockpiling of medicines, practicing good sanitation and hygiene, utilizing mosquito nets, driving cautiously during foggy conditions, monitoring crop and animal health, and implementing land preparation measures for anticipated rains.
The good news is that light showers are expected starting this Sunday.
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