From midwinter to high summer in one week

For two winters in a row, snow fell in the southern parts of Namibia but the occurrence showed a significant seasonal variance. Last year the snow came in May, this year in the second half of August. In both years, the snow caused extensive livestock losses to commercial farmers. This picture taken in the Karasburg region shows how farmers battled to bring their animals to safety when temperatures plummeted. With the warmth of the past two weeks, it is hard to imagine that just 14 days ago, the country was in the grips of a tenacious winter. The weather map was further obfuscated when widespread light rains fell over the northern, central and eastern parts on Monday this week as a fit salute to Heroes Day.