19 December 2025: Seasonal precipitation predictions
Overview:
Contrary to previous forecasts, seasonal models now indicate a trend toward drier conditions from northwestern Africa to the Middle East in January and February. However, subseasonal models predict rain events over the next four weeks across the three regions, and wet conditions could return in March and April in spring breeding areas. Depending on the development of El Niño conditions during spring, these wet conditions may persist, although confidence remains low at this stage. In the Western Region, as temperatures rise in January, a third generation of breeding could expand the ongoing outbreak. Wetter-than-average conditions may continue into spring breeding in northwestern Africa. In the Central and Eastern Regions, above-normal rainfall in March and April could support small-scale spring breeding in Egypt, Sudan, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Somalia, Oman, Iran, and Pakistan.