1. SEVERE WEATHER FORECASTING IN RWANDA by NGABONZIZA ATHANASE

2. INTRODUCTION Rwanda Meteorological Service (RMS) is a Government Service responsible for providing weather and climate forecasts and warnings for the safety of life, protection of property and the natural environment as an input to the socio- economic development of the country.

3. GEOGRAGHICAL MAP OF RWANDA

4. Before preparing forecasts : - We collect all data from the stations (Meteograms) - We review the past weather - We download forecast products from ECMWF, SADIS,GFS, SOUTH AFRICA SYNOPTIC WEATHER, etc…. after getting all information we look at: The movements of the 4 Highs ( St Hellena, Mascarene, Azores, Arabian ridge and the East African ridge). The location and oscillation of the ITCZ. The oscillation of the ITD (Congo air mass). With all these we bear in mind the seasons to help where severe weather would occur. HOW WE ISSUE FORECAST

5. DAIRLY SEVERE WEATHER FORECASTED –HEAVY RAINFALL(50MM) –EMBEDED CB –FOG - VOLCANIC ASH

6. DISSEMINATION Weather issued is disseminated throught RTV(Rwanda Television), Radio, newspapers, web-site. Rwanda Meteorological Service(RMS) issues 24-hours 7-days, Monthly (30-days) and Seasonal (90-days) forecasts through media ( Radio, Newspapers, TV). –R M S also provide specialized services to other sectors of the economy including: Aviation, Health, Infrastructures, Agricultures, Water Resources, Energy, Tourism, Different mass media, Construction, Research centres, Universities, Colleges, etc…… In case of emergency

7. Thunderstorm in the western region

8. Floods in Rubavu District North Western Region September 2008

9. Floods in Southern Province: Picture taken on 31 st January 2007

10. Exemple of Rain Water in the South Eastern Region, SEPT. 2006

11. A women Weeps after losing her property due to Flood during Feb 2010 El-Nino Rain

12. Maize Plantation destroy by heavy Rain in the Western province during March El-Nino rain 2010.