Below-normal temperatures projected for northern Namibia next month
Warmer-than-usual conditions expected in other parts
Ellanie SmitWINDHOEK
Projections for September suggest below-normal temperature readings across most of Namibia’s northern half, extending into the central regions, while above-normal temperatures are expected in the extreme south-western and southern parts of the country.
According to the Namibia Meteorological Services (NMS), inland temperatures across the central regions, southern areas and the Namib are expected to range between 15°C and 20°C.
In contrast, the northern half and isolated parts of the south may experience temperatures between 20°C and 23°C, while the extreme north-east, as well as localised areas in the central north and far north-west, could see averages of around 25°C.
Warmer and cooler
The climate bulletin notes that Namibia experienced its sixth-warmest July over the last 14 years, with an average surface air temperature of 16.5°C – about 0.4°C above the long-term mean for the 1991–2020 reference period.
“Temperatures across Namibia showed a clear decreasing trend from north to south, with warmer conditions recorded in the north and cooler conditions in the south,” the NMS stated.
The highest monthly average temperatures in July were observed in the northern and north-western regions, ranging between 17°C and 20°C. Meanwhile, the central highlands, the Hardap region, much of Otjozondjupa, and the south-west recorded cooler conditions, between 13°C and 16°C. Despite the seasonal winter influence, no major cold fronts were reported.
Rainfall remained predictably low for July, consistent with Namibia’s winter dry season. Most weather stations recorded less than 5 mm. The highest total was logged at Rooisand in central Namibia (28.2 mm), followed by Gobabis in the east (11.6 mm) and Oranjemund in the south-west (6.5 mm).
Projections for September suggest below-normal temperature readings across most of Namibia’s northern half, extending into the central regions, while above-normal temperatures are expected in the extreme south-western and southern parts of the country.
According to the Namibia Meteorological Services (NMS), inland temperatures across the central regions, southern areas and the Namib are expected to range between 15°C and 20°C.
In contrast, the northern half and isolated parts of the south may experience temperatures between 20°C and 23°C, while the extreme north-east, as well as localised areas in the central north and far north-west, could see averages of around 25°C.
Warmer and cooler
The climate bulletin notes that Namibia experienced its sixth-warmest July over the last 14 years, with an average surface air temperature of 16.5°C – about 0.4°C above the long-term mean for the 1991–2020 reference period.
“Temperatures across Namibia showed a clear decreasing trend from north to south, with warmer conditions recorded in the north and cooler conditions in the south,” the NMS stated.
The highest monthly average temperatures in July were observed in the northern and north-western regions, ranging between 17°C and 20°C. Meanwhile, the central highlands, the Hardap region, much of Otjozondjupa, and the south-west recorded cooler conditions, between 13°C and 16°C. Despite the seasonal winter influence, no major cold fronts were reported.
Rainfall remained predictably low for July, consistent with Namibia’s winter dry season. Most weather stations recorded less than 5 mm. The highest total was logged at Rooisand in central Namibia (28.2 mm), followed by Gobabis in the east (11.6 mm) and Oranjemund in the south-west (6.5 mm).
Comments
Namibian Sun
No comments have been left on this article