MSD Warns of Thunderstorms, Heavy Rain Across Zimbabwe

By Staff Reporter | Harare

The Meteorological Services Department (MSD) has warned of widespread rain and thunderstorms across Zimbabwe from Tuesday to Thursday, with some areas expected to receive localised downpours exceeding 30 millimetres.

In an advisory issued on Sunday, September 27, the MSD said the weather system would bring rain accompanied by lightning, thunder and strong winds in several parts of the country.

The department urged the public to exercise caution, particularly in areas vulnerable to flooding and severe weather.

Among the risks identified are lightning strikes, flash flooding in low-lying areas, rivers and urban centres, as well as strong winds capable of damaging crops, trees and structures.

The MSD also warned of possible impacts on grain quality, particularly for crops that are at the grain-filling and maturity stages. “Rain during grain filling and maturity can reduce grain quality,” the department warned, adding that high moisture levels could increase the risk of fungal diseases.

Rain to spread from Masvingo

According to the forecast, weather conditions are expected to change as cool, moist south-easterly winds interact with a mid-level atmospheric system. Rain, occasionally accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning and strong winds, is expected to begin affecting parts of Masvingo from Tuesday morning before spreading to other provinces later in the day.

The MSD said conditions would become cloudy and cool from Wednesday, September 30.

Rain is expected particularly in Masvingo, Matabeleland South and southern parts of Manicaland, while thunderstorms will remain possible in other parts of the country. The department urged communities in flood-prone areas to remain alert as rainfall could be intense in some locations over short periods. Drivers and pedestrians have also been advised to exercise caution around flooded roads, rivers and drainage channels. The warnings come as Zimbabwe continues to experience isolated rainfall events ahead of the main summer rainfall season.

Early rains, not yet start of rainy season

Last week, MSD deputy director for public weather services Isaac Masawana said rainfall experienced in some parts of Zimbabwe should not be interpreted as the beginning of the 2026/27 rainy season. Masawana said the earlier rains were associated with a weather system moving into the country and represented normal weather variations rather than the onset of the main rainfall season. “We had a cloud system that was moving from the west into the country, and it caused some thundershowers that we experienced overnight,” he said.

He cautioned the public against confusing isolated early-season rainfall with the official onset of the summer rainfall season. The latest forecast means farmers and communities should remain alert to rapidly changing conditions while continuing to monitor official MSD updates. The MSD provides daily and weekly forecasts as well as severe-weather warnings to help communities and organisations prepare for potentially hazardous conditions.

Zimbabwe weather forecast