MADRID, May 13 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) says northern Africa is the sub-region of the continent is warming up the fastest.
“North Africa recorded the highest temperature of 1.28°C above the 1991-2020 average, and this is the sub-region of Africa which is warming fastest,” says, Regional Programme Manager at the World Meteorological Organisation, Regional Office for Africa Dr Ernest Afiesimama and added, “The average surface temperature across Africa in 2024 was approximately 0.86 °C above the 1991–2020 long-term average.”
Speaking at the launch of the State of Climate Africa 2024 report, the Regional Program Manager said that extreme heat, greatly impacted parts of the continent during 2024, affecting agriculture, labour productivity and disrupting education.
He appealed to governments to put in place measures that ensure resilience, like water harvesting to ensure adequate water supply for irrigation to enable communities to become food secure through irrigated agriculture.
The report shows that Sea surface temperatures have also been rising with large increases in sea surface temperatures have been observed in the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea, “almost the entire ocean area around Africa was affected by marine heatwaves of strong, severe or extreme intensity during 2024; especially the tropical Atlantic.”
The World Weather body is warning that “high ocean temperatures disrupt marine ecosystems and can intensify tropical storms, and combined with sea-level rise can pose additional threats to coastal communities.”
Among the major events recorded were, two tropical cyclones, Hidaya and Ialy, which developed in May 2024 and moved over the far north-western part of the basin near Tanzania and Kenya “over a region rarely frequented by mature tropical systems.”
Tropical Cyclone Chido had devastating effects as it made landfall on Mayotte (France) as the most powerful storm in 90 years to impact the island which forms part of the Comoros archipelago. The cyclone then hit Mozambique and Malawi where tens of thousands of people were affected; many were left homeless and without access to drinkable water.
In the report delivered virtually, Dr. Afiesimama, is calling for use of Artificial Intelligence as it brings new potential to strengthen service delivery by improving weather forecasts and early warnings in the face of extreme weather events.
“In a complementary effort in 2024, 18 National Meteorological and Hydrological Services, across the continent upgraded their websites and digital communication systems to enhance the reach and impact of their services, products and warnings.
However, he is calling for increased investment in digital infrastructure and capacity building; Stronger data stewardship and sharing frameworks; Improved equitable access and inclusive service to ensure early warning for all.
“Governments should put in place policies that prevent people for example constructing houses on floodplains,” says Dr. Afiesimama and adds, “if it is dry today it does not mean it will be dry tomorrow, so people should keep off those areas so that they do not become vulnerable.”
The WMO is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for promoting international cooperation in atmospheric science and meteorology. It monitors weather, climate, and water resources and provides support to its Members in forecasting and disaster mitigation. — NNN-AGENCIES
