FEWS NET Afghanistan Tel: 070.15.60.60 fnajimi@fews.net
FEWS NET Washington 1717 H St NW Washington DC 20006 info@fews.net
FEWS NET is a USAID-funded activity. The authors’ views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the view of the United States Agency for International Development or the United States Government.
www.fews.net/afghanistan
AFGHANISTAN Weekly Climate Forecast #19, May 14 – May 20, 2008
Dry conditions from October 2007 through April 2008 have resulted in below normal snow pack, meanwhile warmer than normal temperatures have begun melting snow pack earlier than normal.
Fewer winter storms than normal during the period from early October through early April resulted in below normal snow pack. During this time period a several week period from January into February of bitter cold weather resulted in human fatalities and killed livestock. After the unusually cold weather eased, it became warmer than normal, and began melting the reduced snow pack four to six weeks early. Some light snow did fall during April as temperatures became more seasonable.
Temperatures remain slightly above normal and the little snow that fell in April has melted. Snow pack is mostly confined to the northeast. The lack of snow will have impacts on cropping activities in the lowlands of Afghanistan.
1) Much of Afghanistan has experienced below normal precipitation during the winter and an early snow melt.
2) Extreme heat (maximum temperatures above 38 °C) will affect the southwest Afghanistan.
Figure 1. Weather hazards in Afghanistan
Figure 2. Accumulated liquid precipitation forecast
Source: NOAA
Figure 3. Approximate snow depth
Source: USGS
