2023 Seasonal Forecast – DWR and FAO urges strengthening of Climate Change Services and Early Warning Systems

FAO remains committed to supporting the Government of the Gambia to built resilient and transformative food systems. Dr. Mustapha Ceesay of FAO   called for the need to strengthen Climate Change Services and Early Warning Systems for climate adaptation and resilient building on the occasion of the Ministry of Fisheries, Water Resources & National Assembly Matters (MoFWRNAM) releasing the 2023 Seasonal Forecast.

“Weather forecasting in Agri-food systems is more than just a scientific curiosity, but it is about providing early warning information enabling farmers and producers organizations to plan better and mitigate, possible weather-related losses and to enhance social benefits.”

 “The GEF-funded Adapting Agriculture to Climate Change Project in the Gambia, is providing technical support and capacity building to strengthen national capacities to assess vulnerabilities and risks as well as disseminate timely climate risk information to users at all levels. The support improves the quality and access to agro-meteorology Early Warning Bulletins and dissemination of agro-meteorological and food security early warning information products to wider users’ confirmed Dr Ceesay.

Ms. Roheyatou Kah, Permanent Secretary of MoFWRNAM presented the forecast of  the 2023 Annual Precipitation as “lesser rain, very likely to be normal, likely to be above normal in other parts of the country, with the highest amount above 900mm in the western sector of the country, and 700 - 850mm for the rest of the country.”

The forecast which provides a range of possible seasonal outcomes cites mid-June, 08 to  15  2023

as expected, dates for the commencement of rains in LRR, Eastern CRR and URR, and 20 June 2023 for the rest of the country.

Occasional flash flooding and short to medium dry spells are  anticipated during the first and second halves of the season in most part of the country, whilst the flow of the River Gambia could be above normal.

Access to seasonal weather forecasts is believed to be beneficial to farmers. It allows them to make more informed decisions about their farming practices, therefore, the Water Resources Department has promised to provide Ten-Days Outlooks and Daily Weather Forecasts for better anticipation of the impacts of intra-seasonal climate events.