Hope for rain remains
The delay in the onset of widespread rain has been caused by the tropical cyclone over Madagascar but, the Namibian weather service says the rain will arrive as from now.
Forecasts for rainfall remain hopeful despite patchy showers reported across the country in the last weeks.
Namibia Meteorological Service chief forecaster Odillo Kgobetsi yesterday said that thundershowers were expected over Namibia, “from the north to the central, eastern and southern parts”.
Thundershowers are expected to increase in intensity by the end of this week. Maximum temperatures of between 30 and 35 degrees Celsius are forecast, he said.
Nevertheless, towards the end of the week a slight drop in temperature is expected.
Very hot conditions are expected in the south in the first part of the week, dropping gradually later.
Speaking to Nampa last week, NMS chief technician for climate Simon Dirkse said light to moderate rain could be expected over the entire country, except the Zambezi Region.
Dirkse said the general forecast for the first quarter of 2018, ending in April, is that Namibia can expect average rainfall.
He said the rainfall prospects are favourable despite worries expressed by some that the poor rainfall to date did not augur well for the rest of the season.
Dirkse explained that the lack of rain in the first half of January was attributed to the development of the tropical cyclone over Madagascar.
“The tropical cyclone sucks the bulk of moisture, as a result there was little moisture for Namibia, hence the light showers during December last year and nothing in the first week of January,” said Dirkse.
He said the tropical cyclone had weakened and was moving away from Madagascar, which is favourable for Namibia.
“The rains have been selective over the past few days, as some farmers in the same areas did not receive rain as others had,” he said.
Dirkse assured farmers that there would be rain soon.
Rainfall was recorded in some parts of the central and north-central areas over the weekend. At Okahao, 12.8mm was reported and between 9mm and 10mm was reported at Otjiwarongo.
Omaruru reported 3mm, Outapi 2.5mm and Oshakati 0.2mm.
Residents 10km from Okahandja also reported rain at the weekend.
On Friday, a resident reported that 10mm had been recorded on a farm in the Kalkfeld area.
Some areas of Windhoek, such as Avis, and the Hosea Kutako International Airport (6.8mm) also received some rain.
According to the latest NamWater dam bulletin, the Swakoppoort Dam is 40.1% full and Von Bach Dam 58.3%. In the south, the Hardap Dam is 43.1% full.
JANA-MARI SMITH
Namibia Meteorological Service chief forecaster Odillo Kgobetsi yesterday said that thundershowers were expected over Namibia, “from the north to the central, eastern and southern parts”.
Thundershowers are expected to increase in intensity by the end of this week. Maximum temperatures of between 30 and 35 degrees Celsius are forecast, he said.
Nevertheless, towards the end of the week a slight drop in temperature is expected.
Very hot conditions are expected in the south in the first part of the week, dropping gradually later.
Speaking to Nampa last week, NMS chief technician for climate Simon Dirkse said light to moderate rain could be expected over the entire country, except the Zambezi Region.
Dirkse said the general forecast for the first quarter of 2018, ending in April, is that Namibia can expect average rainfall.
He said the rainfall prospects are favourable despite worries expressed by some that the poor rainfall to date did not augur well for the rest of the season.
Dirkse explained that the lack of rain in the first half of January was attributed to the development of the tropical cyclone over Madagascar.
“The tropical cyclone sucks the bulk of moisture, as a result there was little moisture for Namibia, hence the light showers during December last year and nothing in the first week of January,” said Dirkse.
He said the tropical cyclone had weakened and was moving away from Madagascar, which is favourable for Namibia.
“The rains have been selective over the past few days, as some farmers in the same areas did not receive rain as others had,” he said.
Dirkse assured farmers that there would be rain soon.
Rainfall was recorded in some parts of the central and north-central areas over the weekend. At Okahao, 12.8mm was reported and between 9mm and 10mm was reported at Otjiwarongo.
Omaruru reported 3mm, Outapi 2.5mm and Oshakati 0.2mm.
Residents 10km from Okahandja also reported rain at the weekend.
On Friday, a resident reported that 10mm had been recorded on a farm in the Kalkfeld area.
Some areas of Windhoek, such as Avis, and the Hosea Kutako International Airport (6.8mm) also received some rain.
According to the latest NamWater dam bulletin, the Swakoppoort Dam is 40.1% full and Von Bach Dam 58.3%. In the south, the Hardap Dam is 43.1% full.
JANA-MARI SMITH
Comments
Namibian Sun
No comments have been left on this article