Harare (New Ziana) – Heavy rains accompanied by strong winds is expected in some parts of the country this week, the Meteorological Services Department (MSD) said on Wednesday.

In a statement, MSD head of forecasting, James Ngoma said isolated afternoon thunderstorms were expected across all Mashonaland provinces, including Harare Metropolitan Province, and parts of Midlands and Manicaland provinces.

He said Matabeleland North and South received isolated thundershowers over the weekend to Monday.

However, Ngoma said that the two Matabeleland provinces, and Masvingo, were expected to be partly cloudy with a possibility of showers.

Ngoma said isolated thunderstorms were expected to persist in all Mashonaland provinces, Harare Metropolitan province, parts of Midlands, Bulawayo Metropolitan and Manicaland provinces on Thursday.

“Localized heavy downpours and strong winds are probable in some places. All other places should be partly cloudy, mild in the morning, becoming warmer in the afternoon in the southern parts of the country and hot in the northern part,” said Ngoma.

The country is this year expected to receive average to below average rainfall, with experts imploring farmers to grow early maturity crops or drought tolerant crops such as small grains.

New Ziana