Rainfall ranging between 100 and 300 mm is expected across the country, with the first 10 days forecasted to record slightly above the Long-Term Mean (LTM) in many parts of the country.

“The expected rainfall in April 2024 will be slightly above the range of Long-Term Mean (LTM) in western parts of the country and in range of LTM in the remaining parts of the country. The first dekad of April is expected to record slightly above the LTM in many parts of the country, the second and third dekads are expected to record rainfall in the range of LTM,” the met department said.

The weatherman has attributed the pattern to the positive phase of Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) and persistence of El-Nino conditions in the Pacific Ocean.

According to the agency, higher amount of rainfall ranging between 260 and 300 mm is expected over eastern parts of Rusizi and Nyamasheke, western part of Nyamagabe and northern parts Rutsiro, Musanze and Burera Districts.

Rainfall ranging between 220 and 260 mm is expected in the remaining parts of Western Province, remaining parts of Musanze and Burera Districts, western part of Nyaruguru, central part of Nyamagabe and northern parts of Gakenke District.

Additionally, rainfall ranging between 100 and 140 mm is the lowest expected in eastern parts of Kigali City, Nyagatare, Gatsibo, Kayonza, Rwamagana, Kirehe, Ngoma and Bugesera Districts.

“The remaining parts of the country is expected to receive rainfall ranging between 140 and 200 mm,” the agency added.

The forecast comes at a time when most parts of Rwanda continue to receive heavy rainfall which began on Sunday morning.

Wind Speed

On the other hand, moderate to strong wind speed ranging between 6m/s and 8m/s is expected over Western Province, western parts of Nyamagabe, Ngororero, Nyabihu and Musanze, many parts of Gicumbi, Burera, Rulindo, Nyagatare, Gatsibo, Kayonza and Kirehe Districts.

The rest of the country is expected to experience moderate wind speed ranging between 4 and 6 m/s.

Temperatures

The temperature forecast for April shows that the mean maximum temperature will range between 18°C and 28°C. This is a lower temperature compared to the recorded temperatures in March 2024.

Moreover, temperatures ranging between 26°C and 28°C are expected to be the highest in April 2024 across many parts of Nyarugenge, Kicukiro, Bugesera, the western parts of Ngoma, the eastern parts of Nyagatare, Kayonza, and Gatsibo Districts, as well as the Bugarama plain and the northeastern part of Gisagara District.

“The lowest maximum temperature is expected to range between 18°C and 20°C in eastern part of Rubavu, many parts of Nyabihu, northern parts of Musanze, in Rubavu district, most parts of Nyabihu district, in the hills of Musanze and Burera districts, in the southwest of Nyamagabe district and in the lower part of Ngororero district,” the agency stated.

The western part of the country is expected to receive slightly higher than normal rainfall in April