Most Parts of Zambia Likely to Receive Heavy Rainfall from January 6–12 – ZMD

 

The Zambia Meteorological Department (ZMD) says most parts of the country have over an 80 percent chance of receiving more than 50 millimetres of rainfall between January 6 and January 12, 2026.

This is according to the latest Weekly Weather Bulletin issued by ZMD to the Zambia News and Information Services (ZANIS) in Lusaka.

However, the Department notes that Southern and Western provinces are likely to receive less rainfall, with below a 35 percent chance of recording more than 50 millimetres during the forecast period.

ZMD has further forecast isolated rain with occasional thunder from January 6 to 8, 2026, affecting Muchinga, Copperbelt, Eastern, Luapula and Northern provinces, as well as the eastern parts of Central and Lusaka provinces and northern parts of Northwestern Province.

According to the bulletin, rainfall in these areas is expected to occur mainly in the mornings, with cloudy conditions.

“Mornings will be mainly cloudy with isolated rain and occasional thunder,” the bulletin states.

The Department adds that minimum temperatures during the period are expected to range between 10°C and 21°C, while afternoon conditions will be mostly cloudy with rain and thunderstorms. Maximum temperatures are forecast to range between 21°C and 32°C. Nights will also be mainly cloudy with isolated rain and thunderstorms.

Meanwhile, Southern and Western provinces, including western parts of Central and Lusaka provinces and the southern parts of Northwestern Province, are expected to experience partly cloudy mornings, becoming cloudy in some areas, with a chance of isolated rain and occasional thunder.

From January 9 to 12, 2026, ZMD forecasts that Copperbelt, Central, Lusaka, Luapula, Muchinga, Northern, Northwestern, Southern and Western provinces will experience mainly cloudy mornings with outbreaks of rain and occasional thunder, while nights will remain mainly cloudy with isolated rainfall.

In light of the forecast, ZMD has issued an advisory to farmers, urging them to prepare fields for planting other crops and for weeding.

The Department has also advised farmers to regularly inspect their fields for pests, including fall armyworms, cutworms and aphids, to minimise potential crop damage.