La Niña conditions are affecting global weather from January 23-29, 2025, leading to severe flooding threats in eastern southern Africa and Central America while causing dryness in southern Colombia. Africa faces heavy rainfall-induced flooding, especially in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and drought conditions in Somalia. Continued tracking and response efforts are essential to mitigate these climate impacts.
From January 23 to January 29, 2025, La Niña conditions are prevalent in the equatorial Pacific Ocean, heightening flooding threats in eastern southern Africa and along the Atlantic coasts of Central America. In contrast, southern Colombia continues to experience dryness while unusual cold is expected in parts of Central Asia.
In Africa, heavy rainfall has led to significant flooding in eastern southern Africa, while drought conditions are apparent in Somalia due to inadequate precipitation. Specifically:
1. Persistent inundation remains in the Sudd wetlands of South Sudan.
2. Rainfall has been poorly distributed since late September, causing abnormal dryness and drought across central and southern Somalia, and regions in southern Africa, including central Angola, eastern Zambia, Malawi, northern Mozambique, and eastern Madagascar are experiencing dryness. Notably, Madagascar’s east-central and eastern coasts are facing severe drought.
3. High temperatures are anticipated in southern Mauritania, central and southern Mali, central Kenya, southern Namibia, and western and central South Africa in the upcoming week.
4. Ongoing flooding in the east-central Democratic Republic of Congo persists.
5. The recent path of Tropical Cyclone DIKELEDI has resulted in flooding in northern Madagascar and northern Mozambique. Heavy rains in previous weeks have caused flooding in areas including eastern Botswana, Zimbabwe, and throughout southern Mozambique. Forecasts indicate further heavy rainfall for much of Madagascar, exacerbating flood risks in already impacted regions.
The Global Weather Hazards Summary examines climatic conditions and potential weather-related threats across various regions. La Niña represents a climate pattern that significantly influences global weather, particularly precipitation and temperature. Understanding these hazards is crucial for effective disaster preparedness and response, as many communities are vulnerable to extreme weather events such as flooding and drought, particularly in Africa where such conditions severely impact agriculture and livelihoods.
In summary, ongoing La Niña effects are exacerbating weather-related hazards globally, particularly in Africa where flooding and drought conditions prevail. Regions including eastern southern Africa and Central America face severe flooding risks, while southern Colombia deals with persistent dryness. Proactive measures must be implemented to mitigate the impact of these climate anomalies on vulnerable populations.
Original Source: reliefweb.int
