Monthly Climate Bulletin May 2026

During May 2026, warm daytime conditions prevailed across several lowland areas of

Ethiopia, including the Gambella, Somali, southern, eastern, and central parts of the Afar

Region, the eastern part of the Benishangul-Gumuz Region, the southern and central parts

of the Amhara Region, and the northern part of the Tigray Region (Fig. 3.1.2).

On the other hand, Extreme minimum temperatures of less than 8°C were recorded across

various parts of the country, including the central and southern parts of the Amhara

Region, localized areas of southwestern Oromia, parts of the Somali Region, and the

Tigray Region.(Fig. 3.1.1).

In May 2026, the monthly rainfall amount exceeded 270 mm in several sections of

Amhara, as well as the western, east, and south parts of Oromia, with higher rainfall

episodes happening in the country's centeral part and west

Below-normal rainfall (0–75% of normal) prevailed over much of the eastern and

southeastern parts of the country, including most of the Somali Region, eastern and

southern Afar, eastern Oromia, and parts of eastern Amhara and Tigray.Near-normal

rainfall (75–125% of normal) was observed across broad areas of the central and

northwestern highlands, extending over parts of Amhara, Oromia, Benishangul-Gumuz,

and the Southern Ethiopia regionsIn contrast, above-normal rainfall (>125% of normal)

occurred in localized areas of the western and southwestern parts of the country,

particularly over parts of Gambella, western Oromia, Benishangul-Gumuz, and isolated

pockets of the central highlands and northwestern Ethiopia.

Overall, May 2026 was characterized by a pronounced west-to-east rainfall gradient, with

wetter-than-normal conditions confined mainly to western Ethiopia, while much of the

eastern and southeastern regions experienced substantial rainfall deficits.