The weather across Matabeleland North is expected to change sharply over the coming days, with the Meteorological Services Department (MSD) forecasting temperatures close to 40°C in some areas before rain and thunderstorms bring cooler conditions later in the week.
The five-day forecast for 28 September to 2 October shows Victoria Falls, Binga, Hwange and Lupane experiencing different weather patterns, highlighting the contrast between the province’s hot western areas and locations expected to receive rainfall.
Victoria Falls starts the week at 39°C
Victoria Falls is expected to be the hottest of the Matabeleland North locations featured in the MSD holiday resorts forecast.
Monday is forecast to be sunny with a maximum temperature of 39°C.
Rain is expected on Tuesday and Wednesday, accompanied by a drop in temperatures to around 37°C and 30°C respectively.
By Thursday, the maximum temperature is expected to fall further to about 27°C, before rising to approximately 28°C on Friday when sunny conditions return.
For a tourism destination that relies heavily on outdoor activities, the change from extreme daytime heat to thunderstorms and rain will be significant for visitors and businesses.
Binga moves from heat to rain
Binga is forecast to start the week at around 35°C.
The weather is then expected to become progressively wetter, with rain and thunderstorms appearing in the forecast from Tuesday.
By Wednesday, temperatures are expected to fall to around 27°C, with further rain forecast on Thursday and cooler conditions continuing into Friday.
The forecast therefore points to a week of rapidly changing conditions for communities in the district.
Hwange also faces thunderstorms
Hwange National Park is expected to record temperatures of about 38°C on Monday.
Rain is forecast for Tuesday and Wednesday, followed by partly cloudy conditions on Thursday.
By Friday, the area is expected to become sunny again, with a maximum temperature of about 28°C.
The changing conditions could have implications for communities, wildlife and people travelling through the Hwange area, particularly during thunderstorms.
Lupane set for a wetter start
The provincial capital, Lupane, is also expected to experience cloudy and rainy conditions during the first part of the forecast period.
The forecast indicates a significant drop in daytime temperatures towards Thursday, before temperatures begin to rise again on Friday.
This means communities in Lupane should prepare for a week that begins with relatively warm conditions but becomes cooler and wetter before the weekend.
Thunderstorms require caution
The MSD’s advice is for people to move indoors when thunder is heard and to avoid sheltering under trees.
People are also advised not to stand next to tall objects, go near water bodies or remain in open areas during thunderstorms.
The department said moisture was moving into the western parts of Zimbabwe from Botswana, contributing to cloud development over Matabeleland North and Matabeleland South.
The MSD’s weather services provide daily and weekly forecasts and warnings to help communities and businesses prepare for changing conditions.
National outlook
The changing conditions in Matabeleland North form part of a wider weather pattern affecting several parts of Zimbabwe.
Some provinces are expected to experience thunderstorms and rain while others will remain mainly hot and dry, with conditions varying from morning to afternoon and again towards evening.
The national seasonal picture is also important. The MSD’s 2026/27 climate outlook says Zimbabwe is likely to experience below-normal rainfall during October to December, with an erratic start to the rainfall season. The department also expects warmer-than-normal temperatures during the first three months of the season.