January rains had no major impact
While the northern areas of the country received significant rainfall, the central and southern parts received little to no rain.
Although some areas in Namibia recorded above-average rainfall from October to January, large parts of the country still experienced below-average rainfall during this period.
This is according to the rainfall performance report for January issued by the meteorological service division.
“The welcomed rains during the beginning of January did not change the overall performance of the season positively. Therefore, most of the country remains below-average or slighted into the below-average rainfall category,” said the report.
The significant rainfall activities for January were localised across parts of the //Karas, Oshana, Okavango and Otjozondjupa regions, which reported above-normal rainfall at specific stations, it said.
“This is evident from high rainfall amounts received within 24 hours at Kahenge reporting 90mm, followed by Koës with 84mm, Katima Mulilo with 63.8mm, Mukwe with 63mm and Ncamagoro with 59mm.”
Koës, Ondangwa, Kahenge and surrounding areas received above-average rainfall, while large areas of southern and central Otjozondjupa, eastern Zambezi, eastern Kavango, Ohangwena, Oshikoto, southern Oshana and eastern Omusati received average rainfall for the month, the report said.
Meanwhile, the central and southern parts of the country received little to no rain from the second week of the month under review.
Furthermore, the report notes that Koës, Khorixas and surrounding areas received well above-average rainfall for the season, but the bulk of this rain fell within one day, while Ondangwa and surrounding areas received good rains consistently from the onset of the season.
At Kahenge, the total rainfall measured for January was 326.6mm, which was 111% above the normal 154.8mm.
The total recorded for the season from October to January was 523mm, 56% above the normal.
Koës recorded 109.5mm for January, which was 205% above the normal of 35.9mm for the month. The total seasonal rainfall measured was 109.5mm, which is 76% above the normal of 62.1mm.
Meanwhile at Katima Mulilo, 164.9mm was recorded for January, which is 1% above the normal rainfall of 162.7mm. For the season, 243.3mm was measured which is 40% below the normal of 407.8mm.
At Mukwe, 219mm was measured for January. This is 75% above the normal of 124.8mm. The seasonal rainfall for Mukwe was 287.5mm, which is 3% below the normal of 295.7mm.
Rainfall for January at Ncamagoro was 130mm, 12% below the normal of 148.4mm. The seasonal rainfall recorded was 227.6mm, which is 23% below the normal of 295.3mm.
At Ondangwa, 239.5mm was recorded for January, which is 102% above the normal of 118.4mm. The seasonal rainfall measured was 508.2mm. This was 126% above the normal of 224.4mm.
Only 23.4mm was recorded at Khorixas during January, which is 55% below the normal of 51.7mm. For the season, 122mm was measured, 45% above the normal of 84.2mm.
Places such as Bethanie, Berseba and Aroab recorded less than 5mm of rainfall for January, while Keetmanshoop received no rainfall.
ELLANIE SMIT
This is according to the rainfall performance report for January issued by the meteorological service division.
“The welcomed rains during the beginning of January did not change the overall performance of the season positively. Therefore, most of the country remains below-average or slighted into the below-average rainfall category,” said the report.
The significant rainfall activities for January were localised across parts of the //Karas, Oshana, Okavango and Otjozondjupa regions, which reported above-normal rainfall at specific stations, it said.
“This is evident from high rainfall amounts received within 24 hours at Kahenge reporting 90mm, followed by Koës with 84mm, Katima Mulilo with 63.8mm, Mukwe with 63mm and Ncamagoro with 59mm.”
Koës, Ondangwa, Kahenge and surrounding areas received above-average rainfall, while large areas of southern and central Otjozondjupa, eastern Zambezi, eastern Kavango, Ohangwena, Oshikoto, southern Oshana and eastern Omusati received average rainfall for the month, the report said.
Meanwhile, the central and southern parts of the country received little to no rain from the second week of the month under review.
Furthermore, the report notes that Koës, Khorixas and surrounding areas received well above-average rainfall for the season, but the bulk of this rain fell within one day, while Ondangwa and surrounding areas received good rains consistently from the onset of the season.
At Kahenge, the total rainfall measured for January was 326.6mm, which was 111% above the normal 154.8mm.
The total recorded for the season from October to January was 523mm, 56% above the normal.
Koës recorded 109.5mm for January, which was 205% above the normal of 35.9mm for the month. The total seasonal rainfall measured was 109.5mm, which is 76% above the normal of 62.1mm.
Meanwhile at Katima Mulilo, 164.9mm was recorded for January, which is 1% above the normal rainfall of 162.7mm. For the season, 243.3mm was measured which is 40% below the normal of 407.8mm.
At Mukwe, 219mm was measured for January. This is 75% above the normal of 124.8mm. The seasonal rainfall for Mukwe was 287.5mm, which is 3% below the normal of 295.7mm.
Rainfall for January at Ncamagoro was 130mm, 12% below the normal of 148.4mm. The seasonal rainfall recorded was 227.6mm, which is 23% below the normal of 295.3mm.
At Ondangwa, 239.5mm was recorded for January, which is 102% above the normal of 118.4mm. The seasonal rainfall measured was 508.2mm. This was 126% above the normal of 224.4mm.
Only 23.4mm was recorded at Khorixas during January, which is 55% below the normal of 51.7mm. For the season, 122mm was measured, 45% above the normal of 84.2mm.
Places such as Bethanie, Berseba and Aroab recorded less than 5mm of rainfall for January, while Keetmanshoop received no rainfall.
ELLANIE SMIT
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