'Cold spell will continue until Wednesday next week'

A COLD spell that started on Sunday last week will continue until Wednesday, but the rain season is virtually over, the Meteorological Services Department said yesterday.

The Met Department has attributed the cold chill to an influx of moist and cold air from the Indian Ocean.

According to a weather forecast issued by the department yesterday, Bulawayo, Mutare and Masvingo are expected to record the lowest minimum temperatures today at 14 degrees Celsius, while minimum temperatures in Harare, Gweru and Kwekwe are predicted to be 15 degrees.

Temperatures during summer average about 32 degrees Celsius.

The Met's head of public weather services, Tich Zinyemba, said: "The last few days have been characterised by cold weather throughout the country interspersed by rain or drizzle. We expect these cool conditions to last until Wednesday, April 16, and thereafter warmer weather should set in.

"The conditions have resulted in general cloudiness and a sympathetic drop in both daytime and night temperatures."

Zinyemba said Zimbabwe was now transiting from the summer to the winter season, resulting in nights becoming longer, the sun setting early and getting relatively cool at the same time.

He advised members of the public to follow the daily weather bulletins, saying it was difficult to predict whether the country would have an early winter due to climate change.

Zinyemba told Chronicle: "Our winter normally starts in May and ends in August. However, due to climate change, it would be difficult to say or know whether we are  going to have an early winter or not. It's prudent, however, to take note of daily weather bulletins from the Meteorological Services Department.

"Generally the official rain season has come to pass for most parts of the country.  However some areas to the north, mainly Mashonaland Provinces, will continue to receive some rain from time to time hence there will be a little delay in the cessation of  rains."

The sudden change in the climate caught a majority of people unawares as they were under the impression that the winter season would start in June or late next month.

Zimbabweans have been forced to keep themselves warm with extra layers of knitwear throughout daytime. Some urban dwellers have also been seen making fires to keep themselves warm.

"The cold weather that we've been experiencing in the last few days was a real surprise. The temperatures are really low such that it is impossible to go out of the house without wearing warm clothes" said Sibusiso Mpofu from Cowdray Park.