Africa

Africa: Intense water deficits forecast for Nile River & W Ethiopia

Africa: Intense water deficits forecast for Nile River & W Ethiopia

The forecast through December indicates that intense deficits will shrink considerably across northern Africa but emerge across the southern Sahara and into the Sahel. Intense deficits are forecast for the Nile River and western Ethiopia. Mild deficits are forecast for much of Africa’s southern half. Areas of surplus include southern Mali, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Burkina Faso, Ghana, coastal and northeastern Nigeria, south-central Chad, Republic of the Congo, Tanzania, and southern Kenya.

Africa: Water surpluses forecast for Ghana & Nigeria

Africa: Water surpluses forecast for Ghana & Nigeria

The forecast through November indicates extreme to exceptional water deficits in the north from southeastern Algeria to the Red Sea, and deficits nearly as intense for western Ethiopia, the Atbara River, the Blue and White Nile Rivers, and the intersection of Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and South Sudan. Deficits may be severe on the Kafue River in Zambia. Scattered surpluses are forecast around West Africa and intense surpluses in Tanzania.

Africa: Water deficits will persist in northern Africa & on Kafue River in Zambia

Africa: Water deficits will persist in northern Africa & on Kafue River in Zambia

Though intense water deficits will persist in northern Africa over the next few months, exceptional deficits will shrink in the north and along the Red Sea, and will nearly disappear from the rest of the continent. Intense deficits will persist in Zambia’s Kafue River watershed. Areas of surplus include: Tanzania, Kenya, eastern Uganda, some countries along the northern Gulf of Guinea, central Chad, and northwestern Zambia. Surpluses will be intense in East Africa.

Africa: Water deficits to intensify in W Ethiopia, Zambia, & Botswana

Africa: Water deficits to intensify in W Ethiopia, Zambia, & Botswana

Exceptional water deficits will shrink and downgrade across North Africa and along the Red Sea but deficits will remain widespread and intense. Intense deficits are also forecast for western Ethiopia, southern Gabon, northwestern Botswana, central Zambia, and western Madagascar. Exceptional surpluses will persist in East Africa; extreme surpluses are forecast for the conjoined borders of Cameroon, Central African Republic, and Republic of the Congo; and surpluses of lesser intensity are forecast for westernmost Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Africa: Water surpluses persist in Tanzania & Kenya

Africa: Water surpluses persist in Tanzania & Kenya

Exceptional water deficits in North Africa will diminish but persist, and severe deficits are forecast in Gabon and in Nigeria south of the Benue River. Deficits will also persist in western Zambia and are expected to be extreme on the Kafue River. Moderate to exceptional deficits will emerge in central Botswana. Exceptional surpluses will persist in Tanzania, Kenya, and northern Uganda, but diminish somewhat in northern Madagascar. Surpluses east of Kinshasa in Democratic Republic of the Congo are forecast to increase in both extent and intensity, becoming severe.