The climate in Namibia

Climate zone: The northern part of Namibia is located in the equatorial tropics, while the southern parts of the country belong geographically to the subtropics.

It is warm or hot yearlong. The warmest and rainiest part of the country is Oshana. The coldest is Erongo.

Temperature records of the last 74 years

The hottest temperature measured from 1949 to January 2023 was reported by the Gobabeb weather station. In March 2013, the record temperature of 45.5 °C was reported here. The hottest summer from July to September, based on all 11 weather stations in Namibia below 1,720 meters altitude, was recorded in 2015 with an average temperature of 20.1 °C. This average temperature will normally be measured every four to six hours, thus also including the nights. Normally, this value is 17.3 degrees Celsius. The average maximum daily temperature at that time was 27.8 °C.

The coldest day in these 74 years was reported by the Grootfontein weather station. Here the temperature dropped to -5.3 °C in August 2014. Grootfontein lies at an altitude of 1,400 meters above sea level. The coldest winter (January to March) was in 2000 with an average temperature of 20.0 °C. In Namibia, it is usual to have about 3.8 degrees more at 23.8 °C for this three-month period.

The most precipitation fell in January 1994. With 13.7 mm per day, the Grootfontein weather station recorded the highest monthly average of the last 74 years.

Data basis and methodology

The data from the individual measuring stations are based on the archives of the German Weather Service, individual values averaged and supplemented by own elements. In order to determine a representative national average, average values were first calculated for each part of the country, which were then summarized at the national level. Thus, if a disproportionate number of weather stations are located in a small area, their number does not affect the national average.