Tuesday, March 20, 2007

Fall begins tomorrow (tonight) in Namibia

The autumnal equinox

The same date (March 21 [March 20 in the USA]) and time (12:07 AM UTC, 2:07 AM Namibia [7:07 PM March 20 Central Daylight Time - see this web page about time zones and daylight savings time]) that spring begins in the northern hemisphere, fall begins in the southern hemisphere. That means that the days start getting shorter than the nights in Namibia.

Fall in Namibia (March 21 through June 21), generally means slightly lower average temperatures and much less rainfall. Though, like anywhere, daily temperatures and rainfall vary widely.

Since this past summer (the wet season) in Namibia was without much rain in so many places it is likely the drought will deepen and times will get even tougher for most people. See Amy's "Drought Prayer".

Namibian Climate

  • Namibia has a dry climate typical of a semi-desert country, where droughts are a regular occurrence.

  • Days are generally warm to very hot, while nights are generally cool.

  • Midsummer temperature can rise to over 40ºC (104ºF)

  • Winter days are warm but dawn temperatures can drop to freezing.

  • Along the coast the cold Benguela current is also the prime determinant of the climate of the Namib, as it reduces rainfall and causes the omnipresent fog typical of the coast.

  • The rainy season lasts from October to April. The rest of the year is dry and cloudless.


CLIMATE CHART FOR CENTRAL NAMIBIA

namibia climate chart

All areas of Namibia average more than 300 days of sunshine a year!

Click to convert mm to inches

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