In spring, a strong cyclonic center develops over Ethiopia and Sudan. Winds from the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean highs are drawn towards this center and blow across central and southern Ethiopia. These moist, easterly and southeasterly winds produce the main rain in southeastern Ethiopia and the little spring rains to the east central part of the northwestern highlands. The little rains of the highlands are known as belg rains, referring to the second most important sowing season of the region. ENSO Top Ethiopia's Baga Defined Since Ethiopia and Eritrea are in the tropics, physical conditions and variations in altitude have resulted in a great diversity of climate, soil, and vegetation.
Rainfall is seasonal, varying in amount, space, and time.
There is a long and heavy summer rain, normally called the big rain or keremt , which falls from June-September. It is followed by the baga hot, dry period from October through February. In some areas there are short and moderate spring rains in March and April known as the little rains or belg . These rainy periods correspond to Ethiopia's primary and secondary agricultural seasons, known as the meher and belg . ENSO Top Somalia's Gu Defined Rainfall in southern Somalia is bimodal, that is, there are two rainy seasons.