By Prossy Nandudu
The current high temperatures being experienced across the country will come to an end next week.
As soon as they stop, the country will experience normal seasonal rains also termed as planting rains. This is according to the Uganda National Meteorology Authority (UNMA).
According to UNMA’s George William Omony, the manager for weather forecasting, the current heat is partly because the sun is above the equator, a situation that happens every year and this starts at the beginning of March till April, but the climax is usually on the 21st of March hence the release of the heat in the atmosphere, like the one being felt for the last two weeks.
The second reason is the movement of global wind that has suppressed the rainfall meant for Uganda and neighbouring countries like Tanzania, and Kenya among other reasons.
Omonyi speaking to New Vision on Monday, March 18, in a telephone interview, however, dismissed reports from the public that current extreme temperatures could be heat waves like those being experienced in South Sudan.
He added that for an area to experience heat waves, higher temperatures, above 40 degrees centigrade, should be constant for some days.
But for Uganda, the temperatures haven’t been constant like it is the case for South Sudan, instead, they keep changing all the time.
He also assured that global winds are getting weaker and by next week, the country is expected to receive anticipated seasonal or planting rains.
“But since the winds suppressing our rainfall are weakening and we are going to start getting our rains next week, this high temperature will automatically disappear, the moment the rains start,” Omonyi added.
He also cautioned that since they will be the first rains, they usually come along with disastrous episodes of floods, and hailstorms, which the public should prepare for.
