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abnormal because the country always received early rains as “we approach the summer season”.
While erratic early summer storms are usual at this time of the year, what surprised older residents of Harare was that rain fell most evenings for almost a week.

“I don’t think I have seen this for the last half century,” said one. A big storm one day and then cool weather for a few days more is far more usual.”
But the days of very early rain are now gone, with the cloud band that brought them, said Mr Zinyemba.
“By the weekend, we should experience warm conditions although areas such as Masvingo and the Eastern Highlands may continue to be cloudy.”

In Chipinge, the rains had hailstorm that destroyed crops like vegetables, while strong winds destroyed property in Harare and Bulawayo. The highest rainfall was recorded on Wednesday at Karoi with 18mm, Guruve 12mm and Gweru 7mm.
Weather experts have warned farmers against planting as the rains did not signify the onset of the rainy season.

They were just the usual first storms of summer, although more widespread than seen in recent years,
Mr Zinyemba said his department could not give exact dates of the onset and cessation of the rainy season as these vary from area to area and from crop to crop.
The rainy season is expected to start between the end of this month and mid next month.