Key Messages

1. In May the Intertropical Front (ITF) migrated northward faster than typical and has been located north of its climatological position, resulting in mostly above average rainfall over the region including most of the Sahelian zone.
2. Favorable rainfall during April and May led to timely or early planting over much of the region.
3. Agrometeorological conditions have generally been favorable since mid-March for normal development of planted crops over all areas where planting took place.
4. Given the favorable medium term forecast, sowing/planting is expected to normally continue northward into the Sudanian-Sahelian zone in June.