June to September is an important rainy season for countries in the northern and western Greater Horn of Africa.
But the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) regional climate centre, said the northern Greater Horn of Africa is likely to receive below-normal rainfall during this critical rainy season.
According to the Greater Horn of Africa Climate Outlook Forum, seven countries might be affected, including South Sudan, Uganda, Ethiopia, Djibouti, much of Eritrea, and western and coastal Kenya.
WMO said evolving 2026 climate conditions closely resemble the strong El Niño years of 1997 and 2023, when several parts of Ethiopia, South Sudan, Uganda and western Kenya experienced below-normal rainfall between June and September.
The forecast is relevant to governments and communities, as well as several sectors, including agriculture, water supplies, livestock, hydropower generation, food security and public health.
As a result, WMO said it would issue more information in June 2026.
Picture: State of the Planet- Columbia Climate School.