Africa Update #10

Rainfall continued but was light across much of southern Africa. Meanwhile in the north below freezing temperatures have become widespread in the Atlas Mountains and in the interior deserts.

During the last week rain eased up across South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and northern Mozambique. That's not to say rainfall has stopped, just a bit lighter. This is ideal, as La Nina is typically associated with flooding in southern Africa. The lighter rains, are welcomed, however throughout the wet season in the south there will be the possibility of flooding. Some of it will be enhanced by man-made actions, and we may be facing such a situation very soon. Along the Zambezi River there are a series of dams controlled by Zimbabwe, Zambia and Mozambique. Zimbabwe and Zambia jointly control their dams, because the river separates the two countries. The Zambezi River Authority has announced that they will open both of their dams in early 2011. Downstream there have been scattered reports of the Zambezi bursting its in Mozambique. The opening of the dam will send more river water downstream into Mozambique. More flooding is likely, and the additional water entering Mozambique's reservoirs may push the government to open up its own dams.

Freezing temperatures continue to show up in the deserts and higher elevations of northern Africa. A dusting of snow is possible in Morocco's Atlas Mountains.