Communities across Malawi have been urged to prepare early as the Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services (DCCMS) forecasts a normal to above-normal rainfall season for the 2026/2027 period.
The outlook, released by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Climate Change, covers the months of October 2026 through March 2027.
Minister of Natural Resources and Climate Change, Patricia Wiskes, presented the seasonal forecast on behalf of government and said the information should be used to strengthen planning in all key sectors.
She stressed that the purpose of the outlook is not to create panic, but to help Malawians get ahead of possible weather impacts.
“I am urging all sectors, including agriculture, health, disaster management, water, energy and transport, to use the forecast for proactive planning and preparedness,” Wiskes said.
She added that communities should remain alert to regular updates, short-term forecasts and weather advisories that will be issued throughout the rainy season.
According to DCCMS, most parts of the country are likely to experience normal to above-normal rains in both the October–December 2026 period and the January–March 2027 period. The department, however, noted some variations that planners should take note of.
The forecast indicates that normal to below-normal rainfall is expected in parts of the northern region early in the season. Later in the season, districts of Mchinji, Dowa, Kasungu and Lilongwe in the central region are also projected to receive normal to below-normal rains.
DCCMS officials explained that while the general trend points to adequate rains, localized dry spells and heavy rainfall events can still occur within the season. This, they said, makes it important for farmers and other stakeholders to monitor daily and weekly forecasts closely.
Deputy British High Commissioner and Development Director, Ben Nicholson, commended Malawi for prioritizing early action and said development partners are shifting more support toward preparedness and resilience.
“While there is always some degree of uncertainty in forecasting, one thing is clear acting early is far more effective than reacting once impacts are already being felt. At the British High Commission, we are increasingly focusing our support on preparedness and resilience,” Nicholson said.
He further assured that Britain will continue to support Malawi in disaster management efforts.
The release of the seasonal outlook comes as government and development partners intensify climate-informed planning ahead of the 2026/2027 rainy season.
Authorities say early information like this is critical in protecting livelihoods, food security, and infrastructure as climate variability continues to affect the country.
