Heat wave sears Namibia
15 November 2018 | Weather
The scorching heat wave will persist over the weekend and into early next week in most parts of Namibia.
The Namibia Meteorological Service (NMS) issued an advisory yesterday warning that “very hot weather” is expected over most of Namibia and that heat-wave conditions are likely to continue until the middle of next week.
Nevertheless, some places can expect a few thundershowers today and on Friday, chief weather forecaster Odillo Kgobetsi said.
“Most places in Namibia will be under a high-pressure system drying the weather, except in parts of the Maize Triangle area and the Omaheke Region, where showers or light thunderstorms are expected Thursday night and during the day on Friday.”
He said “unstable weather” will be possible over Namibian interior by next Tuesday.
Farmers are warned to ensure water is readily available to livestock, as they will require double or triple their normal water intake on such hot days, a Namibian Agricultural Union (NAU) official said.
Many parts of South Africa are also experiencing a heat wave, with daily fire warnings issued by weather offices and advisories suggesting strenuous work and sports be avoided during the hottest hours of the day.
The website www.reeenvalsa.com confirmed that searing high temperatures, especially in the northern, southern and interior parts of Namibia are ongoing.
Namibians have shared temperatures on social media, with many reporting consistent highs of more than 40 degrees Celsius in some places this week.
A Rundu resident said the temperature on Tuesday reached 43 degrees at the north-eastern river town.
In the //Karas Region, a resident said the temperature had reached 41 degrees at Koës on Tuesday, while residents of Keetmanshoop reported 42 degrees and at Aroab 45 degrees.
Bethanie residents reported a high of 39 degrees. Mariental experienced similar hot weather.
Windhoek residents reported temperatures ranging from 32 degrees to more than 40 degrees in some places, and Okahandja residents measured 38 degrees.
At Rosh Pinah in the south, a resident posted a reading of a low 23 degrees Celsius on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, central dam levels continue to drop, with the Swakoppoort Dam currently at 27%, compared to 44.1% last season.
The Von Bach Dam level is now at 43.8%, compared to 66.7% last season.
Overall, the capacity of the three central dams, including the Omatako Dam which has been empty for some time, is currently at 24.6%, compared to 39.7% this time last year.
In the Omaheke Region the Otjivero Dam is currently at 6.1%, compared to 14.4% last year.
The Tilda Viljoen Dam at Gobabis is 12.3% full, compared to 53% last year.
In the south, the Hardap Dam outside Mariental is at 40.5%, compared to 50.8% last year.
The Naute Dam near Keetmanshoop is 72.7% full, compared to 80% last year.
JANA-MARI SMITH
The Namibia Meteorological Service (NMS) issued an advisory yesterday warning that “very hot weather” is expected over most of Namibia and that heat-wave conditions are likely to continue until the middle of next week.
Nevertheless, some places can expect a few thundershowers today and on Friday, chief weather forecaster Odillo Kgobetsi said.
“Most places in Namibia will be under a high-pressure system drying the weather, except in parts of the Maize Triangle area and the Omaheke Region, where showers or light thunderstorms are expected Thursday night and during the day on Friday.”
He said “unstable weather” will be possible over Namibian interior by next Tuesday.
Farmers are warned to ensure water is readily available to livestock, as they will require double or triple their normal water intake on such hot days, a Namibian Agricultural Union (NAU) official said.
Many parts of South Africa are also experiencing a heat wave, with daily fire warnings issued by weather offices and advisories suggesting strenuous work and sports be avoided during the hottest hours of the day.
The website www.reeenvalsa.com confirmed that searing high temperatures, especially in the northern, southern and interior parts of Namibia are ongoing.
Namibians have shared temperatures on social media, with many reporting consistent highs of more than 40 degrees Celsius in some places this week.
A Rundu resident said the temperature on Tuesday reached 43 degrees at the north-eastern river town.
In the //Karas Region, a resident said the temperature had reached 41 degrees at Koës on Tuesday, while residents of Keetmanshoop reported 42 degrees and at Aroab 45 degrees.
Bethanie residents reported a high of 39 degrees. Mariental experienced similar hot weather.
Windhoek residents reported temperatures ranging from 32 degrees to more than 40 degrees in some places, and Okahandja residents measured 38 degrees.
At Rosh Pinah in the south, a resident posted a reading of a low 23 degrees Celsius on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, central dam levels continue to drop, with the Swakoppoort Dam currently at 27%, compared to 44.1% last season.
The Von Bach Dam level is now at 43.8%, compared to 66.7% last season.
Overall, the capacity of the three central dams, including the Omatako Dam which has been empty for some time, is currently at 24.6%, compared to 39.7% this time last year.
In the Omaheke Region the Otjivero Dam is currently at 6.1%, compared to 14.4% last year.
The Tilda Viljoen Dam at Gobabis is 12.3% full, compared to 53% last year.
In the south, the Hardap Dam outside Mariental is at 40.5%, compared to 50.8% last year.
The Naute Dam near Keetmanshoop is 72.7% full, compared to 80% last year.
JANA-MARI SMITH
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