Maseru, Apr. 03 — The possibility of snowfall is expected on Sunday and Monday respectively. This was disclosed by Mr. Rethabile Mphahama, Weather Forecast at Moshoeshoe I weather office.
Speaking in an interview with the Agency on Wednesday, the Weather Forecast explained that the snowfall is expected in the highlands and in some other high lying areas of the country.
He said currently, there is moisture adding starting today, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday the country should expect isolated rain falls as well as scattered rain falls. Additionally, he pointed out that tomorrow, Thursday widespread rains are expected to be up to 60 percent.
Mr. Mphahama reiterated that snowfall often occurs in winter, adding winter has already started and snowfall occurs when the air temperatures drop below freezing point, causing moisture in the air to condense into ice crystals.
Asked if this winter is anticipated to be the coldest, the Weather Forecast mentioned that the official detailed report is yet to be released by the Director Lesotho Meteorological Services (LMS), urging the nation to wait for the report as well as to seek weather information from relevant authorities.
LMS Weather Forecast, Mr. Rabolenyane Lethaha reminded the society that currently, El Nino weather patterns are being experienced, hence even in October last year, when it was meant to be summer, there was snowfall.
He explained that El Nino is when the central and eastern Tropical Pacific Ocean becomes warmer than normal adding it impacts livelihoods both negatively and positively depending on the location. This is to say, this type of weather pattern can either be positive or negative depending on the variety of areas.
In relation to the weather articulated above, information from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Nutrition, farmers have been urged to start preparing for winter cropping with the hope that production will be good due to the said moisture. Peas and garlic are some of the vegetable’s farmers have been encouraged to plant.
