Swakop swelters in record-breaking heatwave

TEMPERATURES at the coast soared at the weekend, as the dreaded annual east-wind conditions set in.

The mercury at Swakopmund shot up to 42,3 degrees Celsius on Friday. According to the Namibia Meteorological Service (NMS) in Windhoek, this may well be the highest maximum temperature officially recorded at the coast.The record reading for Swakopmund was done on Friday at the small weather station used by the Swakopmund Municipality, which was only established just over a year ago – hence the lack of historical data for the specific area.When questioned about the reading, Frikkie Holtzhauzen of the Municipality’s Engineering Department told The Namibian that the “heat out there definitely qualifies the reading” and assured that the reading was accurate.”This is definitely one of the hottest days at the coast and it might very well be one for the records too,” he suggested.The Namibian contacted the weather office at the Walvis Bay Airport, and the reading there for Friday was just above 39 degrees Celsius.The NMS provided The Namibian with a breakdown of recorded daily maximum temperatures at the Walvis Bay Airport since April 1994 – which is the earliest recorded data available for this area.Since this station is used to indicate forecasts for the central coastal area (and not the station in Swakopmund) it was suggested that Swakopmund’s temperature be compared with Walvis Bay’s data in order to establish whether Friday’s maximum was a record.The data showed that there were only 12 days since April 1994 when temperatures rose above 40 degrees.The last record reading was 42 degrees, and that was measured in April 1999.According to these statistics, it could be safe to assume that Friday’s maximum temperature was in fact the highest the central coastal area has ever experienced.According to the forecaster at Hosea Kutako International Airport outside Windhoek, a warning was broadcast on Friday morning that coastal communities should prepare for high temperatures and strong winds.The forecaster told The Namibian that a maximum temperature of 41 degrees was predicted for the coast (specifically Walvis Bay) on Friday.”To forecast the weather is a very sophisticated affair, and considering that we were a little short of the actual reading at the coast should be commendable for our service,” he said.In the meantime, although it is the start of winter, it felt and looked like summertime at the coast this weekend, with scores of people swimming and sunbathing at the popular Mole Beach, and everyone walking around in summer clothes.According to the Namibia Meteorological Service (NMS) in Windhoek, this may well be the highest maximum temperature officially recorded at the coast.The record reading for Swakopmund was done on Friday at the small weather station used by the Swakopmund Municipality, which was only established just over a year ago – hence the lack of historical data for the specific area.When questioned about the reading, Frikkie Holtzhauzen of the Municipality’s Engineering Department told The Namibian that the “heat out there definitely qualifies the reading” and assured that the reading was accurate.”This is definitely one of the hottest days at the coast and it might very well be one for the records too,” he suggested.The Namibian contacted the weather office at the Walvis Bay Airport, and the reading there for Friday was just above 39 degrees Celsius.The NMS provided The Namibian with a breakdown of recorded daily maximum temperatures at the Walvis Bay Airport since April 1994 – which is the earliest recorded data available for this area.Since this station is used to indicate forecasts for the central coastal area (and not the station in Swakopmund) it was suggested that Swakopmund’s temperature be compared with Walvis Bay’s data in order to establish whether Friday’s maximum was a record.The data showed that there were only 12 days since April 1994 when temperatures rose above 40 degrees.The last record reading was 42 degrees, and that was measured in April 1999. According to these statistics, it could be safe to assume that Friday’s maximum temperature was in fact the highest the central coastal area has ever experienced.According to the forecaster at Hosea Kutako International Airport outside Windhoek, a warning was broadcast on Friday morning that coastal communities should prepare for high temperatures and strong winds.The forecaster told The Namibian that a maximum temperature of 41 degrees was predicted for the coast (specifically Walvis Bay) on Friday.”To forecast the weather is a very sophisticated affair, and considering that we were a little short of the actual reading at the coast should be commendable for our service,” he said.In the meantime, although it is the start of winter, it felt and looked like summertime at the coast this weekend, with scores of people swimming and sunbathing at the popular Mole Beach, and everyone walking around in summer clothes.