Climate for Station: Windhoek, Khomas, Namibia

Loading live weather...

Climate Analysis & Overview

Windhoek's climate profile reveals a complex interplay of warming and cooling trends. While all-time data indicates a 0.56°C (1.01°F) rise in high temperatures, recent 10-year trends show a cooling of 0.65°C (1.17°F) in highs. Meanwhile, low temperatures have consistently risen, reflecting a 0.41°C (0.74°F) increase over the past decade. Precipitation patterns have shifted slightly towards more even distribution, with the PCI decreasing from 23.74 to 20.79.

Desert Climate Dynamics

Windhoek, located at the coordinates -22.567, 17.1, is nestled in the Khomas Region of Namibia, characterised by a BSh climate under the Köppen classification—indicating a semi-arid, hot desert climate. The city's geographical setting, surrounded by the Khomas Highland plateau, influences its climate by moderating extreme temperatures and contributing to its dry conditions. The all-time temperature trends show a warming of 0.56°C (1.01°F) in high temperatures, a pattern consistent with global climate change impacts. However, the region's unique topography tempers these shifts, creating a microclimate that can diverge from broader trends.

Temperature Trends: A Tale of Two Scales

The dichotomy between long-term and recent temperature trends in Windhoek is striking. Over the past decade, high temperatures have experienced a cooling of 0.65°C (1.17°F), contrasting with the all-time warming trend. This suggests a short-term anomaly possibly influenced by regional climatic variations or localised weather events. Conversely, low temperatures have risen by 0.41°C (0.74°F) over the same period, aligning with the all-time increase of 0.10°C (0.18°F). This consistent rise in lows could indicate a narrowing of the diurnal temperature range, a phenomenon often linked to increased cloud cover or urban heat effects.

Precipitation Patterns: A Subtle Shift

Windhoek's precipitation patterns, as measured by the Precipitation Concentration Index (PCI), have shown a slight shift towards more evenly distributed rainfall. The PCI has decreased from 23.74 to 20.79, suggesting that rainfall events are becoming less concentrated and more spread out over time. This subtle change may be beneficial for agriculture and water resource management, as it reduces the risk of flooding and soil erosion associated with intense, concentrated rainfall events. However, the overall PCI remains high, indicating that precipitation is still relatively concentrated compared to more temperate regions.

Regional Implications and Climate Goals

Namibia's climate goals emphasise resilience and adaptation, particularly in semi-arid regions like Windhoek. The observed trends in temperature and precipitation align with these objectives, highlighting the need for adaptive strategies to cope with both warming and cooling phases. Recent weather events, such as droughts and heatwaves, underscore the importance of understanding these trends for future planning. The city's climate profile serves as a critical input for policymakers aiming to balance economic development with environmental sustainability in a changing climate landscape.

Station Statistics

10-Year Trend

High: -0.65 °C/decade

Low: +0.41 °C/decade

Rain: +0.71 mm/decade

25-Year Trend

High: +0.68 °C/decade

Low: +0.45 °C/decade

Rain: +0.23 mm/decade

50-Year Trend

High: +0.67 °C/decade

Low: +0.12 °C/decade

Rain: +0.09 mm/decade

All-Time Trend

High: +0.56 °C/decade

Low: +0.10 °C/decade

Rain: +0.03 mm/decade

Percentage Above-Average Days

Last 12 Months: 50.7%

This Year: 19.1%

Precipitation Concentration Index (PCI) ℹ️

Last 12 Months: 20.8

Historical Average: 23.7

Percentile Rank of Last 12 Months ℹ️

High: 72nd percentile

Low: 92nd percentile

Rain: 98th percentile

Change in Variance ℹ️

High: -8.4%

Low: -6.3%

Intraday: -18.3%

Data Coverage

65.2%

First Year of Data

1913

Station Location

Historical Weather Records

Max HighAvg HighMin HighMax AvgAvg AvgMin AvgMax LowAvg LowMin LowMax PrecipitationAvg PrecipitationMax SnowAvg Snow
Record41.2 °C9.4 °C33.4 °C4.0 °C25.0 °C-4.9 °C99.1 mm
January39.5 °C31.2 °C19.4 °C33.4 °C23.9 °C13.5 °C25.0 °C17.5 °C5.1 °C86.0 mm2.6 mm
February38.2 °C29.9 °C16.5 °C30.1 °C22.9 °C14.9 °C24.5 °C17.0 °C8.1 °C99.1 mm3.1 mm
March37.5 °C28.8 °C18.5 °C32.2 °C21.9 °C13.9 °C23.9 °C15.8 °C7.0 °C84.0 mm2.6 mm
April35.0 °C26.8 °C16.2 °C27.9 °C19.9 °C11.6 °C20.7 °C13.2 °C3.6 °C76.0 mm1.4 mm
May33.0 °C24.5 °C12.5 °C27.3 °C17.4 °C4.9 °C22.9 °C10.0 °C0.4 °C59.0 mm0.2 mm
June29.9 °C21.8 °C9.4 °C23.4 °C14.3 °C4.1 °C15.0 °C7.0 °C-4.2 °C22.0 mm0.0 mm
July32.9 °C21.9 °C9.5 °C22.8 °C14.2 °C4.0 °C16.2 °C6.9 °C-4.9 °C11.0 mm0.0 mm
August33.0 °C24.7 °C13.1 °C25.3 °C16.9 °C6.0 °C17.2 °C9.1 °C-3.9 °C9.0 mm0.0 mm
September41.2 °C28.5 °C15.2 °C29.8 °C20.9 °C8.3 °C22.0 °C12.8 °C-1.1 °C43.0 mm0.1 mm
October38.1 °C30.6 °C16.6 °C31.1 °C23.1 °C11.6 °C23.9 °C15.2 °C0.9 °C94.7 mm0.5 mm
November38.7 °C31.2 °C17.5 °C31.3 °C23.9 °C13.1 °C24.8 °C16.3 °C4.3 °C62.0 mm1.0 mm
December40.7 °C32.1 °C19.5 °C33.1 °C24.5 °C15.3 °C24.4 °C17.2 °C5.4 °C57.6 mm1.5 mm

Data Visualisations

Remove Watermarks

Current Year Climate Trends vs Historical

Current Year Climate Trends vs Historical - Max Temperature this Year
Current Year Climate Trends vs Historical - Min Temperature this Year
Current Year Climate Trends vs Historical - Average Temperature this Year
Current Year Climate Trends vs Historical - Rainfall this Year
Current Year Climate Trends vs Historical - Relative Humidity this Year
Current Year Climate Trends vs Historical - Max Wind Gusts this Year

Max Temperature this Year | 1 of 6

Climate 12-Month Moving Averages

Climate 12-Month Moving Averages - Max Temperature 12-Month MA
Climate 12-Month Moving Averages - Min Temperature 12-Month MA
Climate 12-Month Moving Averages - Average Temperature 12-Month MA
Climate 12-Month Moving Averages - Rainfall 12-Month MA
Climate 12-Month Moving Averages - Relative Humidity 12-Month MA
Climate 12-Month Moving Averages - Peak Wind Gust 12-Month MA

Max Temperature 12-Month MA | 1 of 6

Daily Data Points and Averages Throughout the Year

Daily Data Points and Averages Throughout the Year - Average Max Temperature Throughout Year
Daily Data Points and Averages Throughout the Year - Average Min Temperature Throughout Year
Daily Data Points and Averages Throughout the Year - Average Temperature Throughout Year
Daily Data Points and Averages Throughout the Year - Average Relative Humidity Throughout Year
Daily Data Points and Averages Throughout the Year - Average Peak Wind Gust Throughout Year

Average Max Temperature Throughout Year | 1 of 5