The 33rd Southern Africa Climate Outlook Forum (SARCOF-33) has moved into technical and sector-focused discussions aimed at strengthening preparedness and early action ahead of the 2026/27 rainfall season.
The forum, which opened in Swakopmund on Aug. 25, brings together climate experts, national meteorological and hydrological services, sector specialists and users of climate information from across Southern Africa.
Convened through the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Climate Services Centre, the forum is examining recent climate trends and their implications for vulnerable sectors across the region.
A key session focused on El Niño and its impacts, allowing participants to assess how the climate phenomenon influenced weather and climate conditions in Southern Africa and affected vulnerable communities and economic sectors.
The forum also reviewed rainfall performance during October-December 2025 and January-March 2026, as well as the climate drivers that shaped the 2025/26 season.
The assessment is intended to help countries better understand the impacts of the previous rainfall season and apply lessons to preparedness planning for the coming season.
Users of climate information have also provided feedback on the performance and impacts of the 2025/26 rains, helping specialists identify gaps and strengthen responses.
Breakaway sessions have brought together stakeholders from agriculture, food security and livestock, water, energy, disaster risk management, early warning and health.
Participants are examining how climate variability affected their respective sectors and updating mitigation, preparedness and response measures based on lessons from the previous season.
The discussions highlight the importance of translating climate forecasts and observations into information that can support practical decisions by governments, businesses, communities and other users.
SADC said strengthening the link between climate science and decision-making would help improve preparedness, anticipatory action and resilience across the region.
SARCOF-33 is scheduled to culminate on Aug. 28 with the release of the Regional Seasonal Climate Forecast covering the season ending in March 2027.
The forecast is expected to provide an important reference for governments, humanitarian agencies, businesses and other stakeholders as they plan for the 2026/27 rainfall season.
The forum comes as Southern African countries seek to strengthen early warning systems and climate resilience amid increasing exposure to weather and climate-related risks.
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