Climate

FSNAU's Climate Analysis:  As part of its early warning efforts, FSNAU with technical partner FEWSNET, closely  monitors and analyzes climate information on a regular basis. FSNAU  analyzes remotely sensed and modeled climate data from USGS and JRC  MARS and then triangulates or ground truths this analysis with field observations from its network of 35 field staff who are based fulltime throughout Somalia.

Importance of Climate in Food and Livelihood Security

Climate is a critical factor of food security in Somalia. The performance and potential of livestock and rainfed crop production, the two mainstays of the economy and rural livelihoods, are directly influenced by climate.  Climate in Somalia is arid to semi-arid. Only two areas receive rainfall ranging between 400 - 600mm - a small area in the Northwest and river valleys areas of Shabelle and Juba. Droughts are common with mild to moderate ones occurring every 3 - 4 years and serious drought occurring every 8-10 years.

Climate in Somalia is characterized by:-

• a bimodal annual rainfall pattern which is created by the movement of the Inter Tropical Convergence Zone (ITZ) across the country
• from April to July the northerly movement of the ITZ brings the major Gu rains, and
• from September to November the southerly movement of the ITZ results in the minor Deyr rains. The rainy seasons are separated by two dry spells known locally as Jilaal (January-March) and Hagaa (July-September).

Somalia Seasonal Timeline

Products from Climate Sector Analysis:

1. Climate Data Update (FSNAU/FEWSNET) is a monthly report that presents a compilation of the remotely sensed and modeled climate data which is regularly analyzed on a monthly basis.
2. Climate Sector Article within FSNAU's Monthly Food Security and Nutrition Brief is a more in-depth interpretation and analysis of climate which triangulates and ground truths all available climate information.
3. During the rainy season, a Somalia Rain Watch report (FEWSNET/USGS/FSNAU) is published to update partners about the progress of the season.
4. Somalia Flood Watch (SWALIM/FEWSNET/FSNAU) is a seasonal publication that provides flood warning and analysis along the two main Juba and Shabelle rivers.
5. Climate Sector Analysis is an integral part of all of FSNAU's Annual Food Security Projections and seasonal technical reports (Technical Reports on FSNAU Post Gu and Deyr Analysis).

Climate related links:-

• Understanding the Normalized Vegetation Index (NDVI)