The season is progressing well with mostly average to above-average and well distributed rainfall
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IPC v3.0 Acute Food Insecurity Phase
current or programmed humanitarian assistance
IPC v3.0 Acute Food Insecurity Phase
countries:
current or programmed humanitarian assistance
UPDATE ON SEASONAL PROGRESS
Figure 1. ITF position and RFE accumulated precipitation (mm), July 2021, Dekad 3
Figure 2. CHIRPS 12-Pentad Percent of Average Rainfall (%)
- 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.
FORECASTS
- 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.
About this Report
FEWS NET’s Seasonal Monitor reports are produced for Central America and the Caribbean, West Africa, East Africa, Central Asia, and Somalia every 10-to-30 days during the region’s respective rainy season(s). Seasonal Monitors report updates on weather events (e.g., rainfall patterns) and associated impacts on ground conditions (e.g., cropping conditions, pasture and water availability), as well as the short-term rainfall forecast. Find more remote sensing information here.
Region Contact Information
Email: westafrica@fews.net
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About FEWS NET
The Famine Early Warning Systems Network is a leading provider of early warning and analysis on food insecurity. Created by USAID in 1985 to help decision-makers plan for humanitarian crises, FEWS NET provides evidence-based analysis on approximately 30 countries. Implementing team members include NASA, NOAA, USDA, USGS, and CHC-UCSB, along with Chemonics International Inc. and Kimetrica.
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