By Wezi Tjaronda
WINDHOEK
Chances of more rainfall are gradually improving as the weekend approaches.
Even though the farming community is getting worried about the below average rainfall that has fallen in the October, November December period, prospects look brighter for the January, February, March period.
The first quarter of the year is Namibia’s peak rainy season, which ends in April.
Yesterday, weather forecaster, Simon Dirkse, said the cloud system was moving slowly and moisture was coming back, which may result in rains in much of the eastern half, south-east and north-west of Namibia.
Dirkse said clouds that developed since Monday will start clearing from the west as from today but will rebuild again.
So far, rainfall activity is concentrated in the Caprivi Region where rainfall was reported yesterday morning. Little rain was recorded in the central areas of Windhoek and Hosea Kutako International Airport going south-east.
Wednesday’s partly cloudy conditions resulted in rains in Katima Mulilo, which recorded 5.7 mm; Hosea Kutako International Airport received an insignificant amount, Eros 1.8 mm and Suiderhof 1.0 mm.
Chief Meteorological Technician, Jennifer Moetie, also said rains would still fall because January, February and March period is the peak rainy season.
“We know there are tensions especially among the farming communities but I am positive that rain will fall in January, February and March. I hope the system will be friendly,” said Moetie
So far, there have been developments in the north-east but no substantial rains have fallen yet.
Rainfall prospects for October, November and December were normal to below normal while normal to above normal rains are expected in January, February and March in the sub-region.
The Agriculture Inputs and Food Security Situation report released last week said despite weather prospects for the entire cropping season, most regions received late rains in November, which did not make it possible for planting to start.
The SADC Drought Monitoring Centre and experts from the National Meteorological Services met in early September to develop a consensus seasonal forecast.
This forecast assumes a weak El Nino effect and it is most likely that most parts of the region will receive good rains during the six months covered in the forecast period. The months are October, November, December, January, February and March.
However for Namibia, Angola, DRC, Botswana, Tanzania and Mauritius, January, February and March are expected to receive normal to above normal rains. This excludes Mauritius where less rainfall is expected.
The January, February, March 2008 Rainfall Forecast shows increased chances of normal to below normal rains in the northern half of Namibia, while southern Namibia is likely to receive normal to above normal rainfall.