Prepare for tumbling temperatures
According to the Namibia Meteorological Service (NMS), it was the third coldest May in 15 years, and another cold front is on the way with rain forecast for the South while temperatures could drop below freezing.According to a climate bulletin issued by the 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.
Furthermore, it is predicted that most of the country will experience below-normal average temperatures for the rest of this month, while the Zambezi region, along with the western and southern fringes, are likely to see above-normal average temperatures.
Rain
The bulletin further said that although May typically experiences minimal rainfall, this year several stations recorded notably high reading. Gochas reported 85.5 mm, Otjituuo 53.5 mm, Grootfontein 32.5 mm, and both Okaukeujo 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.