Staff Reporter
MIXED weather conditions continue to prevail across Namibia, with scattered rainfall, strong winds and hot to very hot temperatures forecast in several regions, while the coast remains cooler with fog patches. Social media updates and the Namibia Meteorological Service indicate isolated thundershowers in the north and east, dry and windy conditions in the west and south, and high temperatures across much of the interior.
In the south, dramatic scenes were shared from the Garub area, where strong winds whipped up a large whirlwind, sending some desert horses racing away. Despite the dry appearance in the photograph, observers added that the area still has sufficient grass following earlier rainfall. Residents in Otjiwarongo reported hot conditions, with no rain recorded over the past three days.
Further east, a video shared on social media showed visitors at the Jansen Kalahari Guest Farm enjoying pools of muddy water that had accumulated after recent rainfall, highlighting the rain across the country.
Photos: African Sun Car HireAfrican Sun Car Hire, Jansen Kalahari Guest Farm, Live stream at the Okaukuejo waterhole in Etosha National Park, Seiffert Steuerberatung, Swakoprelaxingviews, Louise Jansen
According to the Namibia Meteorological Service, the interior is expected to be partly cloudy and hot to very hot, with a few to isolated thundershowers forecast over the northern, north-eastern and central-eastern regions. Elsewhere, conditions will remain sunny and hot to very hot. Windy weather is anticipated along the western parts of the country as well as the extreme south.
Recent rainfall figures further illustrate the contrast in weather patterns. Katima Mulilo ADC recorded the highest rainfall at 50 millimetres, followed by Otavi ADC with 12 millimetres and Mpacha Airport with 7.4 millimetres. Along the coast, Swakopmund recorded only 1.5 millimetres of rain.
Along the coast, conditions are forecast to be partly cloudy and cool to mild, with patches of fog expected during the morning hours. Winds are predicted to be moderate south-westerly, becoming fresh to strong southerly in the southern areas.
Maximum temperatures across the country reflect the heatwave conditions in the interior, with highs of around 34 to 35 degrees Celsius expected in towns such as Aranos, Aroab, Gobabis, Keetmanshoop and Mariental. Windhoek is forecast to reach 31 degrees, while coastal towns such as Swakopmund and Walvis Bay are expected to remain significantly cooler, with maximums of around 21 to 22 degrees.
Meteorologists attribute the continued dry and clear conditions over southern Namibia to a high-pressure system over the western parts of the country, which is extending a ridge and maintaining stable weather. As a result, sunny and very hot conditions are expected to persist in the south, while the remainder of the interior will experience partly cloudy skies with the possibility of isolated thunderstorms over central, northern, north-eastern and central-eastern regions. Windy conditions are also forecast in several areas, while the coast can expect partly cloudy intervals with morning fog.
