Warm winter predicted
A prediction for the winter months of May to July shows an average temperature increase for the entire country.This is according to the April rainfall bulletin issued by the Namibia Meteorological Service. It said mean temperatures between 12 and 19 degrees Celsius are expected over the bulk of the country, while the Ohangwena region and parts of Kunene, Omusati, Oshana, Kavango West, Kavango East and Zambezi regions are expected to have a mean temperature of 20°C.
“Although an increase in the mean temperature is forecast, it is necessary to bear in mind that the reference is the mean temperature during our winter months,” the service said.
April was already warmer than average over most of the country, except over the coastal areas where below-average temperatures were experienced.
The Kunene, Omaheke and western Hardap regions were three to four degrees hotter than average, while Khorixas and Warmquelle in the Kunene region recorded the highest temperatures of the month at 41.8°C and 40.3°C respectively.
Rainfall
The bulletin noted that most of the country reported rainfall of 90 mm and below during April. Only Otavi and Okandjatu in the Otjozondjupa region reported significant rainfall of 110 mm and 103 mm respectively.
On a seasonal scale from October to April, the bulk of Namibia experienced below-average rainfall. The monthly average for April shows that below-normal rainfall was received over the greater part of the country. Parts of Kunene and //Kharas received average rainfall.
Furthermore, it said the mean maximum temperature was 31.5°C, while the mean minimum temperature was 16.1°C. The mean maximum temperature hovered at around 30°C over most of the country but in the upper 30s over the Kunene region and the Namib Desert.