This image shows the seven-day rainfall forecast for the week of May 18 to 24, from the Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET) of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

They say scattered showers are expected over southern Gharb Darfur and Janub Darfur in Sudan and southern Ouaddai in Chad and rainfall is most likely to hit the far south and across the higher elevations.

Although the monsoon has started in Central African Republic (CAR), the leading edge of the monsoon remains well south of most of the Darfur region, NOAA says.

"Monsoonal rains show signs of starting over southern Vakaga prefecture in CAR as well as the far southwestern corner of Janub Darfur in the vicinity of Kafia Kingi.

"The monsoonal rains typically begin in mid to late May across southern Janub Darfur; early to mid June across northern Janub Darfur, southern Gharb Darfur and southern Ouaddai; late in June in central Ouaddai, central Gharb and finally July in northern Ouaddai, northern Gharb Darfur and southern Shamal Darfur."

For more information see NOAA's Climate Prediction Center