Zambia - Atlas of our Changing Environment

Rainfall

Zambia’s rainy season stretches from October to March. The average annual rainfall has fluctuated over the past 30 years. The lowest annual average rainfall ranged from 539.6 mm to 747.7 mm for the period between 1976 and 2005, whereas the highest was recorded in the period between 1950 and 1979 ranging from 1,291.9 mm to 1,425.4 mm.

Generally, the northern region of Zambia receives above average rainfall while the southern part receives below average rainfall. Figure 2.4 shows the average rainfall patterns based on the agro- ecological regions (ZMD, 2011), while in Figures 2.5 and 2.6 a trend is shown whereby rainfall amounts are progressively falling in the southern regions of the country.

TANZANIA

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO

MALAWI

ANGOLA

MOZAMBIQUE

Region I (Less than 800mm) Region IIa ( 800 - 1000mm) Region IIb ( 800 - 1000mm) Region III ( Above 1000mm)

NAMIBIA

ZIMBABWE

BOTSWANA

Figure 2.4 Rainfall patterns by agro-ecological region Environmental Council of Zambia, 2008

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ZAMBIA - ATLAS OF OUR CHANGING ENVIRONMENT

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