Weather & Climate – Kaokoland

Anthony Ham
Expert
By Anthony Ham

Anthony is a renowned Africa expert and author of many Lonely Planet guidebooks, including the 'Botswana & Namibia' guide.

Anthony is a renowned Africa expert and author of the 'Botswana & Namibia' Lonely Planet guide.

Anthony is the author of the 'Botswana & Namibia' Lonely Planet guide.

Climate Chart Kaokoland

Climate Chart Kaokoland

* Averages based on 50 years of monthly climate data, taken from 1km² (0.39mi²) interpolated climate surfaces.
© chart & park data: SafariBookings. © climate grid data: WorldClim project. All rights reserved.

Kaokoland is a desert with typical big differences in night and day temperatures. The graph above illustrates averages, though temperatures can build upwards to well above 38°C/100°F and freezing temperatures can occur during winter nights (May to October).

There is a Wet season (November to April) during the summer – although it never rains that much – occasional thunderstorms can be expected. Winter time (May to October) is totally dry.

Dry season –May to October – Winter

Hardly any rain occurs during the winter season, which is also the coolest time of year. Drought increases as the season continues.

  • May, June, July & August – Afternoon temperatures of 22°C/71°F are common, although mornings are quite chilly (9°C/48°F) and require warm clothing. Despite being the coolest time of year, the sun is almost always shining. Drought is typical.
  • September & October – Temperatures increase as winter comes to an end. Temperatures of 26°C/82°F are the rule. Early mornings warm up to around 13°C/55°F. The rainy season starts somewhere between the end of October and the beginning of November.

Wet season –November to April – Summer

Although rainfall is still low during this time of year, it is considered the Wet season. Temperatures are hot, and the sun is generally out all day. Random thundershowers occur, but not daily. Early morning temperatures are pleasant at 16°C/61°F.

  • November & December – Thundershowers begin in the month of November, although they don’t occur regularly. Temperatures can build to much higher than the average of 27°C/86F; upwards of 38°C/100°F or more.
  • January, February & March – Although mostly sunny during the day, thunderstorms occur during the afternoons with some regularity. The average daytime temp of 26°C/84F illustrates how the rain can lower temperatures overall, but they can also spike higher than that.
  • April – Rain slows and temperatures cool during the month of April. Average daily temperatures of 25°C/79°F are typical.

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