Third coldest May in over a decade
A-typical cool weather experienced
Most of Namibia is expected to experience below-normal average temperatures this month.
Namibia recorded its third coldest May for the last 15 years last month.
According to a climate bulletin issued by the Namibia Meteorological Services (NMS), the average surface air temperature for May was 18.8 degrees Celsius, -0.4 degrees Celsius below the 1991 to 2020 average.
The NMS said average temperatures between 13 and 16 degrees Celsius were recorded over central parts of the country, mainly due to frontal systems moving from west to east.
“The south-western Namib and coastal areas experienced warmer temperatures above 20 degrees Celsius due to easterly wind conditions typical of the month," the bulletin noted.
Cold on the way
According to the bulletin, temperature recordings showed cooling over the northern and central parts of the country, while the south-western region experienced temperatures at least 1 degree Celsius above normal.
No significant warming or cooling was observed in the south-east, where average temperatures remained within the normal range of -0.5 to 0.5 degrees Celsius.
It is predicted that most of the country will experience below-normal average temperatures this month, while the Zambezi region, along with the western and southern fringes, are likely to see above-normal average temperatures.
Another cold front is approaching, with rain forecast for the south and temperatures expected to drop below freezing.
Unusual rainfall patterns
The bulletin further said that although May typically experiences minimal rainfall, this year several stations recorded notably high amounts.
Gochas reported 85.5 mm, Awagobital 59 mm, Otjituuo 53.5 mm, Grootfontein 32.5 mm, and both Okaukweyo and Ongula ya Netanga recorded 25 mm each.
Other stations measured rainfall ranging between 2 mm and 20 mm.
Parts of Omusati and Oshana, southern Oshikoto, central Otjozondjupa, northern Omaheke, eastern Hardap and north-eastern //Kharas experienced above-normal rainfall.
In contrast, below-normal rain was observed over much of the interior.
On a seasonal scale, from October 2024 to May this year, above-normal rainfall was recorded over large parts of the country.
Normal rainfall levels were observed in the Zambezi region, the eastern parts of Kavango East and Kavango West, and the fringes of eastern Kunene and western Caprivi Omusati, as well as parts of the Omaheke, Otjozondjupa, Hardap, and //Kharas regions.
According to a climate bulletin issued by the Namibia Meteorological Services (NMS), the average surface air temperature for May was 18.8 degrees Celsius, -0.4 degrees Celsius below the 1991 to 2020 average.
The NMS said average temperatures between 13 and 16 degrees Celsius were recorded over central parts of the country, mainly due to frontal systems moving from west to east.
“The south-western Namib and coastal areas experienced warmer temperatures above 20 degrees Celsius due to easterly wind conditions typical of the month," the bulletin noted.
Cold on the way
According to the bulletin, temperature recordings showed cooling over the northern and central parts of the country, while the south-western region experienced temperatures at least 1 degree Celsius above normal.
No significant warming or cooling was observed in the south-east, where average temperatures remained within the normal range of -0.5 to 0.5 degrees Celsius.
It is predicted that most of the country will experience below-normal average temperatures this month, while the Zambezi region, along with the western and southern fringes, are likely to see above-normal average temperatures.
Another cold front is approaching, with rain forecast for the south and temperatures expected to drop below freezing.
Unusual rainfall patterns
The bulletin further said that although May typically experiences minimal rainfall, this year several stations recorded notably high amounts.
Gochas reported 85.5 mm, Awagobital 59 mm, Otjituuo 53.5 mm, Grootfontein 32.5 mm, and both Okaukweyo and Ongula ya Netanga recorded 25 mm each.
Other stations measured rainfall ranging between 2 mm and 20 mm.
Parts of Omusati and Oshana, southern Oshikoto, central Otjozondjupa, northern Omaheke, eastern Hardap and north-eastern //Kharas experienced above-normal rainfall.
In contrast, below-normal rain was observed over much of the interior.
On a seasonal scale, from October 2024 to May this year, above-normal rainfall was recorded over large parts of the country.
Normal rainfall levels were observed in the Zambezi region, the eastern parts of Kavango East and Kavango West, and the fringes of eastern Kunene and western Caprivi Omusati, as well as parts of the Omaheke, Otjozondjupa, Hardap, and //Kharas regions.
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