La Niña promises a wet summer
A wet summer season is on the horizon for Namibia, with the Namibian Meteorological Services (NMS) predicting above-average rainfall across the country from November 2025 to January 2026.This is according to their Climate Watch bulletin for September.
The promising outlook is driven by La Niña conditions that developed in early October and are expected to persist until early 2026. This climate pattern typically brings increased rainfall to Namibia, offering hope for the agricultural sector and water resource management during the critical growing season.
The northern and eastern regions are expected to benefit the most from the forecast. “Omusati, Ohangwena, Oshana, Kavango West and East, Zambezi, Otjozondjupa, and Omaheke are expected to receive more than 200 mm of rainfall during the three-month period,” according to the forecast.
The rest of the interior can expect less than 200 mm, although still above-average levels for the season, the report released yesterday said.
Record September rainfall
The optimistic forecast follows an unusual September that saw record-breaking rainfall figures. Aroab in the ||Kharas region made history with 83.6 mm falling in 24 hours, according to NMS.
“This is almost half of its annual rainfall and a new September record in 112 years of meteorological data. This extraordinary event is indicative of the atypical weather patterns that have already emerged in 2025.”
Northern regions also recorded unexpected showers in September. Bukalo in Zambezi received 25.5 mm, while the Ohangwena area recorded 22.5 mm - “remarkably high amounts for what is typically a dry month.” The southern regions, eastern Zambezi, and areas around Corridor 13 and Omungwelume all had above-average rainfall during September.
Temperatures
September temperatures reflected warming, with most of the country averaging 1.5°C to 3°C above the long-term average. Average temperatures ranged between 21°C and 28°C across most regions, while the western and southern coastal areas remained cooler at 14°C to 20°C.
NMS stressed in the report that while the seasonal forecast provides valuable guidance for planning, local variations should be expected across Namibia’s diverse climate zones. – [email protected]