* Mwera winds will also blow over Lake Malawi and other lake water bodies due to the influence of a cool and moist southeasterly air mass
* This weather will start to weaken over southern and central areas by Sunday, June 8
By Duncan Mlanjira
The Department of Climate Change & Meteorological Department (DCCMS) indicates that from Thursday, June 5, the public should “expect windy, cloudy and chilly conditions with patches of fog and rain drizzle”.
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“Mwera winds will also blow over Lake Malawi and other lake water bodies,” says the update. “This will be due to the influence of a cool and moist southeasterly air mass. This weather will start to weaken over southern and central areas by Sunday, June 8.”
In its summary of this week’s weather (June 2-8), the DCCMS indicates that there will be “sunny intervals and cold nights will persist across the country [as] a cool and less moist air mass is expected to blow over Malawi, resulting in mostly dry conditions”. “However, isolated cases of rain are likely over some northern areas, continuing until Wednesday, June 4.”
In the past week, the DCCMS reports that “generally, most areas experienced sunny intervals and cold conditions, with isolated rain mainly affecting northern parts of the country”.
“Despite the cold weather, many areas across the country recorded warmer than average minimum temperatures for the month of May. However, Bolero in Rumphi experienced a lower than average minimum temperature, with a deviation of -0.8°C.”
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Safety advisories from the DCCMS include avoiding fishing, swimming or using small boats and canoes during rough conditions; to wear warm clothing, particularly the elderly and children and not to use a charcoal burner in a poorly ventilated room.
Those with asthmatic conditions (mphumu) need to be extra cautious while motorists are advised to exercise caution during foggy conditions as they reduce visibility.
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Meanwhile, weather expert, Prof. Sosten Chiotha observes that in 2024 there were public sentiments that the month of June felt warmer than usual.
He gave an example of his base in Mulunguzi, Zomba that “the minimum temperature for the first 11 days were above 14°C in a way validation claim”.
“This year the first days feel June like with minimum reading of 12.7°C (June 1) & 13.1°C (June 2) compared to 2024 readings of 15.1°C & 14.5°C respectively.
“For rainfall, May 2025 appears an outlier in the last 3 years with 21mm compared to 2024 (6 mm), 2023 (0 mm), 2022 (0.4 mm).