Winter is here

Namibians will get their first real taste of winter with a drastic drop in temperatures that is expected from the beginning of next week.
While day temperatures in Namibia have been relatively warm, a cold front that is coming in from the Atlantic Ocean will hit South Africa next week and will also reach Namibia.
Well-known South African meteorologist Professor Peet Pienaar yesterday told Namibian Sun that icy rain can be expected in South Africa. In Namibia temperatures are expected to drop drastically next Tuesday.
“A severe cold will be hitting Namibia,” said Pienaar.
He said the cold front was expected to last four to five days and would affect the entire country.
According to the Windhoek weather bureau it will be partly cloudy and warm in the South today, with a few odd showers in places, elsewhere fine and warm to hot.
Livestock owners are urged to take the necessary precautions against the coming cold front.
Sakkie Coetzee, the chief executive officer of the Namibia Agricultural Union, says there is a real danger of small stock freezing to death in the South when temperatures drop like this.
Most at risk are lambs, ewes, kids and especially the small stock that are left in the veld.
Coetzee said farmers should keep their animals in kraals and can light dung fires around the kraals to provide some heat.
He warned that farmers should be careful when making dung fires to avoid starting veld fires.
Organisations working with the homeless are also urged to take all necessary precautions.

ELLANIE SMIT