Rainfall shortage across bulk of Namibia

The bulk of Namibia experienced a shortage of rainfall on a seasonal scale, mainly due to the poor rainfall recorded in December and February.

According to the Climate Bulletin for March issued by the Namibia Meteorological Service, almost the entire country reported rainfall of 90 mm or less in March.

Only Otavi and Okondjatu in the Otjozondjupa Region reported a significant amount of rainfall, with 110 mm and 103 mm, respectively, for the month.

The report noted below-normal rainfall recorded over the greater parts of the country.

Parts of the //Karas, Khomas, Omaheke and Hardap regions received average rainfall, while pockets of above-normal rainfall were confined to the extreme eastern parts of Omaheke, southern //Karas, and portions of western Hardap, Khomas, and Kunene regions.

“The improvements in rainfall performance during March are eroded by the poor performance since December 2023 on a seasonal scale calculation,” the report stated.



Hotter

This was further exacerbated by a poor rainfall performance in February, with record-breaking hot temperatures. Moreover, the temperature outlook for April to June this year shows an increase in average temperature for the entire country.

However, as cold fronts traverse the country from west to east, temperatures are expected to drop sharply for a short period of time.

The Otjozondjupa, Khomas, western Hardap and //Karas regions are expected to experience mean temperatures between 14 and 19 degrees Celsius, while the remainder of the country can expect temperatures between 20 and 25 degrees Celsius.