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The Intertropical Front (ITF) continues its northward ascent and has almost reached its northernmost position in its central portion at the end of July.
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Dryness experienced during the first half of July resulted in delayed planting over western Niger, Central Burkina Faso and northern Senegal and southern Mauritania.
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Rainfall observed over the last two weeks has brought needed relief to parts of the Sahelian zone that experienced dryness earlier in the season.
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The minor dry season has been prevailing over the bi-modal zone of the region for about a month so far, as typical.
- The Intertropical Front (ITF) has been progressing in its northward ascent. It is now located between 18 and a little over 20 degrees of latitude north, as of the end of the third dekad of July. It was north of its climatological position over most the region except over Mauritania (Figure 1). The cumulative rainfall for the last 2-month period has been above average over most of the region. However, few areas have recorded below average rainfall in both the Sudanian-Guinean and Sahelian zones (Figure 2).
- In the Guinean-Sudanian zone, beside the bimodal zone where the minor dry season has been prevailing for about a month, areas with below average cumulative rainfall amounts include western Nigeria, southwestern Cameroon, an area extending from eastern Sierra Leone into northern Liberia and southeastern Guinea. No negative impact of this dryness on crops is expected given that the seasonal rainfall amounts are almost always sufficient to meet crop requirements, particularly when they’re coupled with a nice time distribution observed during the current season.
- In the Sahelian zone areas that experienced dryness, which included Far North Cameroon, northwestern Nigeria, Western Niger, Central Burkina Faso, and northern Senegal-southern Mauritania, have received relief beginning from mid-July. Planting delays resulting from this dryness are very likely, however, they’re not expected to have a significant on planted area over most of the dryness affected area.
- According to the short and medium term forecasts from NOAA-CPC, mostly average to above average and well distributed rainfall is expected with no significant dry spell in the next two weeks.
- The NOAA-CPC Northern American Multi-Model Ensemble (NMME) seasonal forecast for the next three-month period (September-November) generally predict average to above average seasonal rainfall conditions over most of the Sahel. However, based on the monthly seasonal forecast for the month of October the models lack of skills over most of the region but show moderate low to moderate chances for below average rainfall over most of Burkina Faso, parts of Benin, the western part of Guinea Bissau and southern Chad. This October precipitation forecast seems to be consistent with the warmer than average Gulf of Guinea STT forecast with which could also mean an earlier than average retreat of the ITF.
Figure 1
Figure 1
Source: NOAA/CPC
Figure 2
Figure 2
Source: USGS/FEWS NET
Le suivi saisonnier est fourni pour chacune des quatre régions couvertes par FEWS NET pendant la saison de production. Ce rapport offre une mise à jour sur les précipitations totales, l'impact sur la production et les prévisions à court terme. Élaboré par le chercheur régional FEWS NET USGS et le responsable technique régional FEWS NET, le suivi saisonnier est établi tous les 20 jours pendant la saison de production.
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