Southern Namibia records up to 10 times normal June rainfall
An exceptional winter weather event transformed parts of southern Namibia in June, with rainfall reaching up to ten times the monthly average in some areas, according to the Namibia Meteorological Service's latest climate bulletin.
The heaviest rainfall was recorded in the Kharas and Hardap regions, where a cut-off low-pressure system associated with a cold front delivered intense downpours between 17 and 20 June. A second period of moderate rainfall followed from 26 to 29 June, driven by another cut-off low-pressure system.
In the ǁKharas region, Tses recorded the highest 24-hour rainfall total of 56 mm, closely followed by Maltahöhe with 55 mm. Bethanie recorded 39.6 mm, while Naos measured 36.1 mm.
Rainfall was particularly intense along the Great Western Escarpment, where it was accompanied by strong winds and sub-zero temperatures. Frost extended across much of southern Namibia and reached as far north as Farm Ombona in the Erongo region.
The exceptionally wet conditions caused significant damage to road infrastructure, forcing the temporary closure of several roads in the southern parts of the country.
Temperatures
Although June was not the coldest June on record, the bulletin noted that several locations experienced freezing morning temperatures.
Omatjenne recorded the country's lowest temperature at -4.4 degrees Celsius, followed by Waterberg at -4.3 degrees Celsius, Okomumbonde at -3.1 degrees Celsius and Gross Barmen at -2.9° degrees Celsius.
In sharp contrast, north-western Namibia experienced unusually hot winter conditions. Kaoko-Otavi recorded a scorching maximum temperature of 40 degrees Celsius, while Khorixas reached 36 degrees Celsius.
A temperature analysis showed below-average conditions across much of the western interior and the Zambezi region, while above-average temperatures were concentrated in the eastern parts of the country. The strongest warming occurred in the Omaheke region and north-western Namibia, where temperatures were between two degrees Celsius and four degrees Celsius above the long-term average.
Looking ahead, the Namibia Meteorological Service forecasts slightly above-average maximum temperatures across the northern and north-eastern parts of Namibia between August and October.
It said most of the country's interior is expected to experience near-average daytime temperatures, while minimum temperatures are forecast to remain close to seasonal averages.
The outlook suggests that, despite June's exceptional weather extremes, much of Namibia is expected to return to more typical temperature patterns as spring approaches. However, warmer conditions are likely to persist across the northern regions.
