Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

You can find the 5-day forecast on https://www.metmalawi.gov.mw/products/ and on the Zanyengo mobile app https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zanyengo&pli=1/

You can find the 10-day agro-meteorological forecast on the website https://www.metmalawi.gov.mw/products/

Weather alerts can be found on the website's homepage (link), and on the Zanyengo mobile app (link). Weather alerts are also posted on our social media pages (link)

Seasonal forecasts can be found on the website (link). You can also contact your district council agricultural office for more information and guidance on the seasonal forecast. Find a list of offices here (link).

You can find the agro-meteolorogical information that is available for your area on the https://www.metmalawi.gov.mw/products/. For more information and guidance, visit your district agricultural extension office.

To access a specific weather forecast for your area, it is best to contact the National Meteorological Center at least one week in advance of your event or activity. You can contact us through our facebook page on https://www.facebook.com/MetMalawiDCCMS
Alternatively, you can use the contact form on the website through https://www.metmalawi.gov.mw/contact-us/

Weather alerts are posted in the Zanyengo app. Weather alerts can also be found on the website's homepage https://www.metmalawi.gov.mw/. Weather alerts are also posted on our social media pages, such as the DCCMS facebook page on https://www.facebook.com/MetMalawiDCCMS , Whatsapp channel at https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaT21WW8PgsBmJWWGc1A among others. We also advise to checking our daily weather bulletins on the national television (MBC) and your local radio stations.

Malawi falls under the South-West Indian Ocean cyclone basin, where tropical cyclones are named by Météo-France’s Regional Specialized Meteorological Centre (RSMC) La Réunion. The names are selected from a pre-approved list submitted by countries in the region, including Malawi, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, and others.

Each cyclone season, the first system that reaches tropical storm strength is assigned the next available name from the list which is arranged alphabetically. If a cyclone is exceptionally destructive, its name is permanently retired and replaced with a new one to avoid confusion and respect those affected by the storm.

Malawi is influenced by;

• Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) – A major driver of rainfall, particularly during the rainy season (November to April), as it shifts southward.
• Congo Air Mass – Brings widespread rainfall over the country. It originates from the Congo Basin and it can be recognized by its intermittent heavy rainfall episodes sometimes accompanied by thunderstorms.
• Tropical Cyclones and Depressions – Systems from the South-West Indian Ocean can bring heavy rainfall, strong winds, and flooding, particularly in the central and southern region.
• Easterly Waves – These weather disturbances originate over the Indian Ocean and play a role in bringing rainfall to Malawi. They are characterized by periodic fluctuations or a wavelike pattern as they move westward.
• Convergence ahead of pressure rise- the meeting of cool and moist south easterlies with warm easterly or north easterly air mass. The rains influenced by this system are accompanied by strong winds and thunderstorms.

Weather alerts are posted in the Zanyengo app. Weather alerts can also be found on the website's homepage through https://www.metmalawi.gov.mw/ .Weather alerts are also posted on our social media pages, such as the DCCMS facebook page on https://www.facebook.com/MetMalawiDCCMS , Whatsapp channel at https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaT21WW8PgsBmJWWGc1A among others. We also advise to checking our daily weather bulletins on the national television (MBC) and your local radio stations.

Before the Storm

• Stay informed by monitoring weather updates through DCCMS website, DCCMS social media pages, your community radios, Television, or Zanyengo app.
• Avoid outdoor activities when thunderstorms are forecasted.

During the Storm

If Indoors:

• Stay away from windows, doors, and electrical appliances.
• Avoid using wired telephones and unplug electronics to prevent power surges.

If Outdoors:

• Seek shelter in a sturdy building or a hard-topped vehicle.
• Avoid open fields, isolated trees, and tall objects.
• Stay away from water bodies like lakes, rivers, and pools.
• Crouch low to the ground if no shelter is available—do NOT lie flat.

After the Storm

• Wait at least 30 minutes after the last thunder-clap before resuming outdoor activities.
• Be cautious of fallen power lines and report any hazards to local authorities.

For data resources, look under the Data and Tools tab in the main menu. For specific data requests, use the contact form which can be found under the Data and Tools tab in the main menu, then click on Data Requests: https://www.metmalawi.gov.mw/data-requests/

Please contact DCCMS via the contact form which can be found under the Data and Tools tab in the main menu, then click on Data Requests: https://www.metmalawi.gov.mw/data-requests/