FREETOWN – The Sierra Leone Meteorological Agency (SLEMet) has announced that the country will experience below-average rainfall during the 2026 rainy season compared to the 30-year historical norm.
Deputy Director Gabriel Kpaka made the disclosure during a media engagement with journalists at the launch of the 2026 National Seasonal Outlook in Freetown.
According to Kpaka, SLEMet is projecting that total rainfall accumulation across the entire country will fall below the long-term average, despite some regions receiving normal to above-normal amounts in certain months.
He explained that the forecast is based on a 30-year recording average and takes into account past rainfall patterns.
“For the month of June and July, we are expecting below-average waveform across the entire country,” Kpaka stated. “This is owing to the past 30 years average because of this recording.”
The Deputy Director provided specific rainfall projections for different parts of the country.
He said areas like Bo will receive between 1,240 and 1,290 millimetres of rainfall for the May to July period.
He added that regions including Kenema, Kailahun, Kono, and Falaba will record between 1,140 and 1,190 millimetres during the same period.
“Areas like Rokupr will have around 1,340 to 1,390 millimetres,” Kpaka said.
He noted that while these figures represent significant rainfall, they remain below normal when compared to past years.
“Last year, we had a lot of normal to above-normal rainfall,” he recalled. “This year, it is going to be below-normal rainfall for the entire country.”
Turning to the June, July, and August period, Kpaka said this marks the time when the country enters the full-blown rainy season.
He stated that areas such as Koinadugu, Bombali, Karene, Falaba, and Port Loko will experience below-average rainfall.
However, he indicated that other regions including Konobo, Kenema, Kailahun, Pujehun, Bo, and Freetown will receive normal to above-average rainfall for that same period.
“For Freetown, we are expecting rainfall between 1,750 and 1,850 millimetres for June, July, and August,” Kpaka revealed.
He added that Kono and Kailahun will record between 1,190 and 1,490 millimetres.
The Deputy Director then addressed the July, August, and September period, which he described as the peak of the rainy season.
“When you put the total amount together, it is going to be below average compared to the past years,” he emphasized.
He noted that last year was above average, but this year the cumulative rainfall will be below normal.
Kpaka also revealed that in areas where SLEMet used to record up to 8,000 millimetres of rainfall annually, this year’s totals will be above 2,500 millimetres.
“Some areas will have below-average rainfall, and somewhere else will have above,” he clarified. “But when you put the total together, it will be below average.”
Recommendations
In response to the forecast, SLEMet issued a series of recommendations at the launch.
Kpaka called for strengthened communication of the seasonal forecast, daily weather updates, and weather alerts.
He urged authorities to raise awareness and disseminate forecasts to prevent diseases and climate-sensitive illnesses.
He also advised citizens to avoid contact with contaminated water and to clear sewer channels to facilitate the evacuation of rainwater.
Kpaka further recommended monitoring dam water levels and maintaining dams where necessary.
He warned against uncontrolled occupation of flood-prone areas and called for support for malaria control efforts.
Additionally, he urged investment in high-yielding crops and the setup of systems for the collection and conservation of runoff water.
He also emphasized the need to support farmers’ access to improved crop varieties.
Kpaka concluded by strengthening the call for disaster reduction and humanitarian aid response capacity.
