Rainy season ends with wet April
Most parts of the country received rain in April, except for the southwestern areas.
However, the amount of rainfall was below the monthly average for the bulk of the country.
This is according to the rainfall bulletin for April issued by the Namibia Meteorological Service.
It says that patches of above-normal to normal rainfall were experienced over the Zambezi, Kavango East and West, the central North, and the eastern border of the country.
“Most of this rain was observed during the first week of the month. The southwest of the country had dry conditions throughout the month.”
Overall, the seasonal rainfall performance from 1 October 2021 to 30 April 2022 was above average over the bulk of the country.
“The 2021-22 rainfall season in Namibia shows a drier than normal performance over the northern half of the country, more so over the north-western regions,” according to the seasonal monitor.
It says that in contrast, southern regions received exceptionally high rainfall from the start of the season whereas some areas received two or three times the usual rainfall amounts.
In the northeast (Kavango West and Kavango East, Zambezi), rainfall was average to above average throughout the bulk of the season.
According to it, the season started off quite dry for most parts of the country (except the extreme south) but heavy rains in December and January brought improved conditions for crop development and grazing for livestock, except in the north-western regions.
It further says that vegetation and soil moisture conditions were favourable, except in the northwest, in response to the rainfall pattern. Good water availability for livestock is expected.
“The Kunene Region is flagged as an area of major concern, due to the intense and persistent rainfall deficits throughout the full length of the season. “Satellite data indicates very sparse vegetation cover and very low soil moisture in this region, in particular its northern areas close to the border with Angola.”
The Seasonal Overview
It further says that the western parts of Ohangwena, Oshikoto, Kavango East, Kavango West and Zambezi accumulated over 600 mm of rain since the beginning of the rainy season, which is close to above average.
The Karas and Hardap regions accumulated twice the seasonal amounts, while parts of Oshikoto, Erongo, Omaheke and Kavango East received normal rainfall.
Areas of Concern
The Kunene Region is an area of high concern and conditions here were characterised by very strong rainfall deficits until early February, broken only by a very wet mid-February. Initial vegetation development was poor but after the February rains it started to pick up towards more normal levels, which led to a degree of recovery in water and pasture resources.
The Omusati Region is also classified as an area of high concern. The dry start of the season was broken by a wet episode in the middle of November 2021, after which prolonged below-average conditions were experienced over the region. The vegetation index, however, responded very slowly and only recovered to the end of March 2022.
However, the amount of rainfall was below the monthly average for the bulk of the country.
This is according to the rainfall bulletin for April issued by the Namibia Meteorological Service.
It says that patches of above-normal to normal rainfall were experienced over the Zambezi, Kavango East and West, the central North, and the eastern border of the country.
“Most of this rain was observed during the first week of the month. The southwest of the country had dry conditions throughout the month.”
Overall, the seasonal rainfall performance from 1 October 2021 to 30 April 2022 was above average over the bulk of the country.
“The 2021-22 rainfall season in Namibia shows a drier than normal performance over the northern half of the country, more so over the north-western regions,” according to the seasonal monitor.
It says that in contrast, southern regions received exceptionally high rainfall from the start of the season whereas some areas received two or three times the usual rainfall amounts.
In the northeast (Kavango West and Kavango East, Zambezi), rainfall was average to above average throughout the bulk of the season.
According to it, the season started off quite dry for most parts of the country (except the extreme south) but heavy rains in December and January brought improved conditions for crop development and grazing for livestock, except in the north-western regions.
It further says that vegetation and soil moisture conditions were favourable, except in the northwest, in response to the rainfall pattern. Good water availability for livestock is expected.
“The Kunene Region is flagged as an area of major concern, due to the intense and persistent rainfall deficits throughout the full length of the season. “Satellite data indicates very sparse vegetation cover and very low soil moisture in this region, in particular its northern areas close to the border with Angola.”
The Seasonal Overview
It further says that the western parts of Ohangwena, Oshikoto, Kavango East, Kavango West and Zambezi accumulated over 600 mm of rain since the beginning of the rainy season, which is close to above average.
The Karas and Hardap regions accumulated twice the seasonal amounts, while parts of Oshikoto, Erongo, Omaheke and Kavango East received normal rainfall.
Areas of Concern
The Kunene Region is an area of high concern and conditions here were characterised by very strong rainfall deficits until early February, broken only by a very wet mid-February. Initial vegetation development was poor but after the February rains it started to pick up towards more normal levels, which led to a degree of recovery in water and pasture resources.
The Omusati Region is also classified as an area of high concern. The dry start of the season was broken by a wet episode in the middle of November 2021, after which prolonged below-average conditions were experienced over the region. The vegetation index, however, responded very slowly and only recovered to the end of March 2022.
Comments
Namibian Sun
No comments have been left on this article