The Ghana Meteorological Agency (GMA) has forecast extreme dryness in the coming days and weeks.
“From December 2022 to February 2023, the number of dry weather conditions, cloudless skies, and hot days across most part of the country will gradually increase,” the agency stated in its 2022/2023 dry harmattan season advisory dated November 24, 2022 and signed by the Acting Director- General of the agency Eric Assuman.
However, the agency warned that there could still be brief periods of moisture influx, resulting in one or two rainy days, particularly in coastal towns and cities.
It indicated that during the season, the suspension of minute dust particles and aerosols will dominate the atmosphere.
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“Relatively cool nights and mornings are anticipated for the Northern and Transition Zones of Ghana.
Poor visibility values will range between less than one km and approximately five km due to advection of dust particles from the dust source region”, it added.
It is predicted that most places in the country’s southern to transition belt, including inland water areas such as lakes, rivers, ponds, and streams, would have early morning mist and fog patches.
“During this period, dry and hazy weather conditions with varying intensities are expected over most parts of the country with increase in hotspot activities in the fire-prone areas of the country”, it explained further, adding that relative humidity values are expected to range between 15 per cent and 70 per cent.
As a result, the statement cautioned the public, particularly palm wine tappers, cigarette users, and hunters, to handle naked fire with caution.
It also urged the public to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water, avoid cracked skin by moisturizing their bodies, and provide warm clothes for children throughout the night and early morning hours.
The statement asked the public to contact the Director of Synoptic Meteorology and Forecasting, Joseph Tetteh Portuphy, or Papa Nii Cleg, Head of Public Relations, or Felicity Ahafianyo, Head of the Central Analysis and Forecasting office, at +233-303-965-563 or +233-(0) 55-353-8292 for assistance.
Northern regions, precautions
People residing in the five northern areas, as well as parts of the Oti, Bono, Bono East, and Ahafo regions, were also encouraged to take measures, according to the statement.
These include: handling naked fire with caution, especially for palm wine tappers, cigarette smokers, and hunters; staying hydrated by drinking enough of water; preventing cracked skin by moisturizing their bodies; and dressing children in warm clothes at night and at morning.
The statement also stated that dry north-easterly winds from northern Africa have advected into the country’s northern regions during the last several days.
According to the statement, this had contributed to largely clear sky, bright, and dry weather conditions across the North East, Upper East, Upper West, and Savannah areas, resulting in a decrease in rainfall activities over southern Ghana.
“With reference to the 2022 seasonal forecast issued earlier in the year and based on continued surveillance and analysis of global and national forecast model charts by the GMET Seasonal Forecast Desk and the Central Analysis and Forecasting Office (CAFO), the unimodal2022 rainy season for Northern Ghana has ended and the 2022-2023 dry (harmattan) season is in force at its initial stage,” the statement noted.
As a result, it informed the public that regular daily and weekly weather reports would be made accessible to the public.
SOURCE: GRAPHICONLINE
