Freezing weather in southern Namibia

By: JANA-MARI SMITH

WINTER made a palpable comeback this week, when the mild winter weather was transformed by a serious cold front, racking up heating and pharmacy bills.

The South was hit hardest, as it has throughout the last two months, with temperatures dropping as low as minus seven.

Grootfontein measured a minimum of two degrees Celsius on Monday, while Otjinene in the east measured 1,4 degrees Celsius on Monday morning. 

Also in the east, Gobabis and Buitepos measured temperatures just above freezing point and Windhoek struggled to maintain a hold on temperatures just above zero degrees.

In the south, Maltahöhe registered temperatures just below zero, while Mariental residents had to keep themselves warm in excruciating cold conditions. The lowest temperature recorded on Monday morning was minus seven degrees. Farmers in the South say although the winter arrived late this year, temperatures are several degrees lower than last year.

According to Namibian meteorologist Victor Kaurimuje, temperatures will rise gradually this week, but in the South it will not get measurably warmer. 

Maximum temperatures everywhere, except the South, are creeping towards the low twenties again, and should settle there for the week.  

The next cold front is expected to reach southern Namibia on Wednesday, Kaurimuje warned. Rain is expected to fall in the far south.

The cold could spread from the south to the central and northern areas by Friday, so do not pack away the heater yet.

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