Cold Front Ahead
Jana-Mari Smith
7 June 2010



A COLD front is heading towards the southern Namibia from the Cape and is expected to lead to the first sub-zero temperatures this winter in the next three to four days.

The Namibia Meteorological Service sent out a warning yesterday that southern Namibia can expect a 10 degree Celsius drop in temperatures during the next 24 to 48 hours.

Meteorologist Victor Kaurimuje said yesterday that the cold front was moving from the south-west Atlantic and would have made landfall sometime at the Cape last night.

He added that the cold front would bring with it winds, which would start picking up as soon as it hits the southern landmass.

"The general south of Namibia will experience a significant drop, of maximum 10 degrees Celsius. We can expect sub-zero temperatures anywhere after Wednesday," he said.

The central areas of Namibia, such as Windhoek, will not experience any significant temperature changes in the coming week. Kaurimuje however said that colder temperatures will eventually hit the central and rest of Namibia during the coming month.

Heidi Roos, who lives on Farm Wildpark, about 30 kilometres north-east of Maltahöhe, yesterday said that the area has experienced unusually warm weather to date.

Her family, who has lived on the farm for nearly a century, has recorded the weather for just as long, and accordingly the farmers in the area expect frost to set in by latest mid-May each year.

"Until now, the day temperatures have stood between 26 and 28 degrees Celsius, and we are already in June," she said yesterday.

Night temperatures in the Maltahöhe district have not dropped below 10 degrees Celsius yet, she added.

Informed of the upcoming cold front, she said it was long overdue.

An overview of temperatures across Namibia for the past week shows that the eastern and north-eastern parts of the country have experienced the lowest temperatures so far.


Tsumkwe's minimum temperatures ranged between 2,6 to 6 degrees Celsius last week. Otjinene in the Gobabis district had minimum temperatures ranging between 1,7 degrees and 8 degrees.

The Buitepos and Gobabis areas experienced minimum temperatures of between 2,7 and 8 degrees Celsius during the last week.

In the south, Mariental has been hit with the lowest minimum temperatures, between 4 and 8 degrees while Keetmanshoop recorded higher temperatures of between 8 and 15 degrees Celsius.

During the coming weeks, these southern towns are expected to experience a drop of about 10 degrees Celsius, bringing sub-zero measurements.

Maximum temperatures in Namibia have ranged from the low to high twenties.

Thanks Kathi,

I am a new member and am getting ready to leave for a safari in Namibia soon. This is very helpful for packing the right clothing for conditions. Much appreciated!

surefire7,

Welcome to AR and best of luck on your hunt.

Thank you for the info Kathi, always useful.
We are experiencing some relatively "low" temperatures in the south of Angola, but so far, nothing abnormal.
It appears that the cold front will not reach north of Namibia which is good news as i will be hunting in Kamanjab area next week.
Roberto

Heard from the weather guys this morning they expect a second cold front this time for the whole of Namibia on Tuesday, June 15th.
Chilly mornings and evenings.

only.375H&H remember your jacket, will have a look for gloves, see you Sunday.