A severe hailstorm struck Masvingo City on Monday, leaving at least 60 households counting losses, NewZimbabwe.com reported. Mayor Aleck Tabe said roofs were blown off, while windows, sliding gates, solar panels and other household infrastructure were damaged or destroyed. The available source does not detail whether affected families can access emergency shelter, repairs or insurance. It also does not confirm a broader pattern of extreme weather events or the city’s disaster-response funding. The immediate horizon is recovery financing: without rapid support, vulnerable households may face prolonged displacement and deeper economic strain. The city’s capacity to rebuild will signal whether climate adaptation reaches local level, but the source stops at the damage assessment. For now, 60 families are counting losses.
Weather News
Zimbabwe's most significant weather stories — ranked by impact, not recency. Tap the on any story to read its summary and sources.
Some parts of Zimbabwe will experience thunderstorms early next week, with unsettled weather conditions expected on Monday and Tuesday. Meteorological Services Department spokesperson Isaac Masawana confirmed the forecast to the Daily News. The warning comes as the country enters a period of increased weather volatility. The strategic vulnerability lies in the country's preparedness for extreme weather events that can disrupt infrastructure and livelihoods.
The Meteorological Services Department warned of heavy localised downpours, thunderstorms, and strong winds starting Tuesday, September 29. Some areas could record over 30mm of rain. The alert places vulnerable communities and transport networks on immediate weather risk watch.
The Meteorological Services Department (MSD) issued a warning for thunderstorms, strong winds, and localized heavy downpours across Zimbabwe beginning Tuesday. Rainfall accumulations are projected to exceed 30mm in some areas, raising flash flood risks in low-lying urban zones. The alert places civil protection units on standby for potential displacement and infrastructure damage. Prior seasonal forecasts had anticipated a normal to above-normal rainfall pattern, but the intensity of isolated systems has surprised forecasters. The state now faces pressure to improve drainage and early warning dissemination in vulnerable informal settlements.
An unprecedented strengthening El Niño is disrupting global weather patterns and contributing to an unusually quiet Atlantic hurricane season in 2026. According to iHarare, scientists warn that the phenomenon could shift storm activity to other basins, increasing risks in the Pacific and potentially affecting global weather patterns. The silence has lulled coastal communities into complacency, while insurers reassess risk models and prepare for potential shifts in storm tracks and intensity. The core vulnerability is that El Niño's suppression of Atlantic storms may be temporary, masking the long-term trend of more intense hurricanes fueled by warming oceans and ongoing climate change. The quiet season should not be mistaken for a reprieve, as climate change continues to intensify storm potential globally, requiring critical continued preparedness and adaptation.
Heavy snowfall in South Africa's KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape provinces has forced the closure of multiple border posts and roads linking Zimbabwe to the region. The disruption halts cross-border trade and travel, highlighting the vulnerability of Zimbabwe's supply chain to extreme weather events in its key southern neighbor.