Seasonal Forecast For (April – June) 2012 Major Season

Observed atmospheric conditions over land and oceans and outputs from major World forecast Centres like IRI, CPC and ECMWF together with output of the Ghana Meteorological Agency’s model, do suggest that the Major rainy season (APRIL, MAY, JUNE) over the country is as below;

Generally, the southern sector of the country will experience below average rainfall during the major rainy season (April – June).

Unlike 2011, where the rainfall in the major rainy season was evenly distributed, rainfall for 2012 will be erratic.

Onset dates is expected to delay by about two to three weeks.

Northern Ghana has a 70% (last year was 80%) chance of receiving normal to above normal rainfall during the rainy season which is expected to start from 16^th – 23^rd April

Forecast for the minor rainy season for southern Ghana and update for the northern sector will be issued in May 2012.

The rainy season will be characterised by thunderstorms which will sometimes be accompanied by strong winds.

The expected rainfall onset dates and amounts are as follows:

Onset dates is ± 10 Days

Sectors	Onset dates	Rainfall amounts (mm)
Northern (Section D)	16^th – 23^rd Apr.	650 – 1100
Transition (Section C)	12^th – 16^th Apr.	800 – 900
Eastern Coastal (Section B)	10^th – 15^th Apr.	500 – 800
Forest/Western Coastal (Section A)	6^th – 11^th Apr.	850 – 1100