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Africa is located in climatic zones. African climate zones. Climate zones and regions of Africa

Africa has unique climatic conditions. Since the continent crosses the equator, except for the equatorial belt, all other climatic zones are repeated.

Equatorial belt of Africa

Equatorial belt African continent located in the Gulf of Guinea region. Here warm air and humid climate. The temperature maximum reaches +28 degrees Celsius, and approximately the same temperature above +20 degrees remains year-round. Precipitation amounts to more than 2000 mm per year, which is distributed relatively evenly throughout the territory.

On both sides of the equator there are two subequatorial zones. Summer season humid and warm with a maximum of 28 degrees, and winters are dry. Depending on the seasons, air currents also change: equatorial wet and dry tropical. This climate zone has long and short rainy seasons, but the total annual precipitation does not exceed 400 mm.

tropical zone

Most of the continent lies in tropical zone. The air mass here is continental, and under its influence deserts were formed in the Sahara and in the south. There is practically no precipitation here and air humidity is low. It may rain once every few years. During the day the air temperature is very high, and at night the degrees can drop below 0. There is almost always a strong wind blowing, which can destroy the crop and intensify sandstorms. The small area in the southeast of the mainland has a tropical, humid climate with significant rainfall that falls throughout the year.

Africa climate zone table

The extreme territories of the continent are located in subtropical zone. The average temperature is +20 degrees with noticeable seasonal variations. Southwestern and Northern part The mainland lies in the Mediterranean type zone. IN winter time This area receives precipitation and summers are dry. A humid climate with regular precipitation throughout the year has developed in the southeast of the continent.

Africa is the only continent that is located on both sides of the equator, which influenced the formation of unique climatic conditions. So on the continent there is one equatorial zone, and two subequatorial, tropical and subtropical zones. It is much hotter here than on other continents with similar climate zones. These climatic conditions influenced education unique nature in Africa.

The widest part of Africa is located in the center of the hot zone of illumination. The entire continent is caressed by the sun all year round and receives a huge amount of energy from our luminary. The climate of Africa is determined by its geographical location, air circulation, the influence of the oceans, the nature of the underlying surface. Based on the combination of these main factors, climatic zones (main and transitional) are distinguished on the continent: subtropical, tropical, subequatorial and equatorial. In this order they alternate in the northern hemisphere from north to south.

General characteristics of the African climate

The equator crosses the continent approximately in the center. Northern - more large part mainland - extends to Mediterranean Sea in the north and the Arabian Peninsula of Eurasia in the northeast. South of the equator lies a narrow part of Africa, shaped like a triangle. The territory from the equator to the Northern Tropic receives about 200 kcal/cm2 per year. Average for total solar radiation on the mainland is 160 kcal/cm2 per year.

Africa's climate is varied, with heat and moisture distributed unevenly, especially in desert regions. The southwestern foot of the Cameroon volcano receives the maximum amount of precipitation - up to 10,000 mm/year. Africa surpasses other continents in temperature indicators and is the hottest of them. Largest quantity solar heat falls on a land mass located between the Northern and Southern Tropics.

We will describe the climate of Africa based on the position of the continent's territories relative to the equator. This is the main climate-forming factor on which heating depends earth's surface, and from it - air. Important role belongs to other conditions: atmospheric circulation, the nature of the relief, features of the underlying surface, position relative to other continents, oceans. Basic and transitional climate types in Africa:

Equatorial.
Subequatorial (humid in the south, arid in the north).
Tropical desert.
Subtropical Mediterranean.

Equatorial climate of Africa

In the center of the continent, near parallel 0°, a hot and humid climate is formed. The equatorial belt covers the territory from 6° N. w. up to 5° south w. in the Congo Basin in the east, on the coast of the Gulf of Guinea it reaches 8° N. w. The conditions of this area are determined by equatorial air masses - hot and humid; It rains throughout the year. The air in January and July heats up to an average of +25 °C, and 2000-3000 mm of precipitation falls per year. The moisture coefficient reaches 1.5-2 (excessive).

Evergreen forests

The equatorial climate of Africa creates favorable conditions for heat- and moisture-loving plants. The equatorial region of Africa is covered with dense evergreen forests - hylea. It is difficult for animals and people to be under the forest canopy, where it is gloomy and stuffy, the air is saturated with the smells of decaying litter and the aroma of orchids.

Difficulty sparsely populated natural area V last years intensively mastered. Forests are being cut down to obtain valuable wood, going for export. Mahogany, abashi (African maple) and other species are mined.

Subequatorial climate zone

Occupies vast areas of the continent from 20° south. w. up to 17° N. w. In sub-regions equatorial climate over 1/3 of Africa's territory is located. In the eastern part transition belt is not interrupted by the equatorial, in southern hemisphere- does not reach the Atlantic Ocean.

Characteristics of the African climate in the subequatorial region of the continent:

Temperature conditions and moisture are determined by the alternating influence of tropical and equatorial air masses. As a result, seasons are formed - wet and dry.
In summer, the hot and humid air of equatorial latitudes dominates; in winter, dry tropical air mass arrives and becomes a little cooler.
The duration of the dry season ranges from 2 to 10 months. Average annual temperature air - above +20 °C, precipitation will be about 1000 mm/year (in the southern part of the belt).
The duration of the wet period and the average annual precipitation decrease towards the outskirts of the subequatorial belt.
In the northern regions there is less rain, and the hot breath of the desert is felt. The hottest period of the year occurs at the beginning of the rainy season, when average monthly temperature exceeds +30 °C.
The cool months of the wet period are characterized by temperatures of about +20 °C and above.

Savannah

Except geographical location and atmospheric circulation, the climate features of Africa are determined characteristic feature relief of the mainland. The edges of the continent are raised; Compared to inland areas, they are located higher above sea level.

Mountain ranges and massifs in the north, east and southeast limit the influence of Indian and Atlantic Oceans on the climate of the savannah zone, which extends within the subequatorial belt. The characteristics of the flora and fauna in this part of the continent are determined by the alternation of wet and dry seasons, the lack of moisture for the formation of full-fledged forests and deep riverbeds.

Tropical zone

Features of the African climate in the Northern and Southern Tropics are the dominance of hot and dry air masses. Areas with an arid tropical climate and a significant daily temperature range extend in the north and south of the continent to the 30th parallel. A significant area of the continent is influenced by an arid tropical climate. In this zone, the highest average monthly indicators are noted: +35... 40 °C.

The North African massif receives a lot of solar radiation and very little moisture. The air temperature during the day rarely drops below 20 °C. There is snow on the mountain peaks in the tropics; desert and semi-desert areas lie at the foot. The most extensive lifeless areas: in the north - the Sahara, in the south - the Namib.

Deserts and semi-deserts

In the Sahara there are areas where temperature minimums and maximums were recorded (-3 and +58 ° C). The temperature during the day on the hot sand and rocks reaches +60... 70 °C, at night it can drop to +10 °C. Daily temperature fluctuations reach 50 °C.

Precipitation in the deserts of Africa ranges from 0 to 100 mm/year, which is extremely low. Rains sometimes do not reach the surface of the earth - they dry up in the air. Humidification is poor, Kuvl. = 0.1-0.3. The life of the desert population is concentrated in oases - places of escape groundwater. Agriculture, cattle breeding, and tourist services are developed.

Subtropics of Africa

The extreme south and a narrow strip of the northern coast are occupied by areas of subtropical climate. This is a transitional belt, the features of which are determined by the properties of air masses of moderate and tropical latitudes. The subtropical climate is characterized by dry and rainy seasons and a significant supply of moisture, which contributes to the development of agriculture. The maximum amount of rain in the northwestern and southwestern regions of the African continent occurs in winter months, in the southeast the rainy season is summer.

The subtropics of Africa and other areas of the continent attract numerous tourists. World famous resorts are located on the coasts of the Mediterranean and Red Seas, Indian and Atlantic Oceans. The main direction of tourism development and types of recreation in North Africa- beach, excursion. In the savannahs - safari, jeeping. Less visited areas are impassable rain forests and uninhabited desert areas.

What is the climate like in Africa now and in the past? The answer to this question lies in the beds of dry rivers (wadis), the ruins of once prosperous cities, covered by the sands of the Sahara. The climate of Africa is becoming arid, deserts are advancing in the north and south. In stark contrast to this phenomenon are floods, when rivers overflow their banks and flood coastal areas. Scientists suggest that catastrophic natural processes may be associated with intensive cutting down of trees, widespread construction of cities and roads, and the development of agriculture and cattle breeding.

Africa is crossed almost in the middle by the equator, so in its northern and southern parts climatic zones, with the exception of the equatorial one, are repeated (Fig. 61). Two stand out subequatorial, two tropical and two subtropical belts.

Equatorial belt covers a narrow coastal strip along the Gulf of Guinea and the Congo Basin. In this zone, warm and humid equatorial climates predominate throughout the year. air masses, so there is one type of climate here - equatorial. The temperature here is high throughout the year and reaches +26... 28 °C. The total annual precipitation is over 2000 mm, and it is distributed evenly throughout the year.

Subequatorial climate zones with their characteristic subequatorial climate type located on both sides of the equatorial belt, approximately to a latitude of 15-20°. Here throughout the year there is also a high temperature (+25...28 °C), but the alternation of summer wet and winter dry periods is clearly visible. This is due to changes in the types of air masses depending on the seasons. In summer, an equatorial humid air mass dominates here, and in winter, a dry tropical one.

Climate on both sides of the equator. There are two rainy periods in the annual cycle of the subequatorial belts. Local residents call them “long rains” and “short rains”. They are separated by two winter dry periods. To the north and south of the equator, dry periods lengthen, precipitation decreases and becomes less regular. The annual rainfall shown on the map is actually a little accurate, as a place that reportedly receives 380mm of annual rainfall can reach that figure within a few years.

Tropical zones occupy the largest area on the mainland. During the year, continental tropical air mass dominates here. Under its influence in the Sahara, as well as in South Africa area is formed tropical continental (desert) climate type.

The Sahara is located in the zone of downward air movements and dry trade winds of the Northern Hemisphere. This is mainly due to the insignificant amount of precipitation and low relative humidity air. The sky here is mostly cloudless, but its color is almost never transparent blue, since the finest dust hangs in the air. Precipitation is extremely irregular. It happens that for several years not a single drop of rain reaches the surface of the earth. High daytime and low nighttime air temperatures, as well as significant dryness, as well as dust storms negatively affect human stay in the desert.

In the Sahara, the wind wakes up and goes to bed with the sun. Winds play a significant role in desert life. Here, on average, out of 100 days, only six are calm. Hot winds in the northern Sahara have a bad reputation. They blow from the center of the desert and can destroy crops within a few hours. Strong winds (samums) cause dust and sand storms. Wind speed during a storm reaches 50 m/s. A mass of sand and small stones rises into the air. Storms begin and die out suddenly, leaving behind clouds of dry, slowly settling dust “fog.”

A region is forming in the southeastern part of Africa tropical humid climate With big amount precipitation throughout the year. Material from the site

The extreme north and south of Africa are located in subtropical climatic zones. The average annual temperature here is about 20 °C, but it varies significantly between seasons. Depending on the amount of precipitation in subtropical zones, there are two climatic regions. In the north and southwest of Africa the region predominates Mediterranean climate type(typical of the Mediterranean coast, hence the name). Precipitation in this area falls mainly in winter; summer, on the contrary, is dry. (Remember how this is explained.) In the southeast of the continent the region dominates subtropical humid climate with uniform moisture. Under the influence of trade winds, precipitation here is distributed more or less evenly throughout the year.

Africa is located in the equatorial, subequatorial, tropical and subtropical climate zones.
In the equatorial and subequatorial climate zones, one type of climate predominates.
In the tropical climate zone, tropical continental and tropical humid climates are distinguished, and in the subtropical zone, Mediterranean and subtropical humid climate types are distinguished.

On this page there is material on the following topics:

In which zone is the tropical dry winter
Location of Africa climate zones
Climate table for African zones, northern region, southern region
The climate of Africa can be described as a unique phenomenon due to its location.

Africa is the only continent in the world that lies on both sides of the equator.

Interestingly, the equator is not only Earth divides into two hemispheres, it divides the African continent almost equally.

The climate has a very big influence on the nature of the area, because it determines weather patterns, as well as changes weather conditions.

The soil of the area, flora and fauna, various sectors of the economy, as well as
.
The formation of certain climatic conditions in Africa is influenced by various factors, which subsequently determine the life and livelihoods of people who live in specific type climate.

Africa is widely considered to be the hottest continent due to its location in the hottest climate zones.

An interesting fact is that three of the four climatic zones on the continent are repeated twice.

Due to the fact that Africa is crossed by the equator, around which the equatorial climate zone has formed, the remaining climate zones mirror each other.

Subequatorial, tropical, subtropical and temperate zone found twice on the continent.

Equatorial climate zone of Africa

The equatorial belt occupies an area along the Gulf of Guinea and extends all the way to the basin in the Congo and.

Throughout the year, the equatorial warm air mass prevails here, which determines the weather conditions.

In this part of Africa there are no seasons with temperature changes and changing weather conditions; it is always very hot here and it rains often. Precipitation falls evenly throughout the year.

The temperature here is high 365 days a year - from 24 °C to 28 °C.

The equatorial climate is characterized by heavy rainfall. During the year, in different areas of the equatorial part of the continent, from 1500 to 2500 mm of precipitation falls.

Because of this, very high humidity and the heat, which is difficult to bear, is relieved by the coolness of the night.

In the African equatorial part, constant cloudiness and frequent fogs can be observed.

Almost every day before lunch, clouds gather, which after lunch, towards evening, materialize into rain or thunderstorms.

They present plant and animal life in a wonderful abundance that has not been fully explored.

On both sides of the equator, as well as to the east of the equatorial belt, subequatorial climatic zones stretch.

This climate zone is also very hot, with temperatures throughout the year ranging from 26 to 30 °C in summer and 15 to 17 °C in winter.

Subequatorial climate zone of Africa

In the subequatorial climate zone, rainy and dry seasons are clearly visible.

The duration of rains, as well as the numerical indicators of precipitation, decrease as the belt moves away from the equator.

This directly affects the flora of the area.

In places where there is insufficient rainfall, it practically does not grow. woody vegetation, lush forests give way to open forests, which smoothly turn into savannas.

It is very interesting to note the alternation of the rainy season and the predominance of the dry season in subequatorial climatic zones.

At a time when in one of subequatorial zones Africa is in the rainy season, which is brought by the equatorial air mass, in another sub equatorial belt At this time, an air mass from the tropics dominates, which entails the onset of the dry season.

Tropical climate zone of Africa

A characteristic feature of this climate is dry, hot weather and minimal precipitation, which decreases with distance from the center of the continent and further into its interior.

Africa is mostly located in a tropical climate, so there are a lot of deserts, the formation of which is facilitated by dry air, a remote location from the ocean, and high blood pressure due to tropical air masses.

These are ideal conditions for the development of numerous deserts and savannas.

The Sahara is the largest desert on the planet, which is located in the tropical climate of Africa. Here, not a single drop of precipitation may fall for years, and it is extremely difficult for a person to stay here.

The air is filled with fine dust and there is a lot of blowing strong winds, which create sand dust storms.

Wind and dust form whimsical sand.

The tropical zone, in addition to aridity, is characterized by a very sharp daily temperature difference.

During the day, the thermometer rises above 40 °C, heating up the sand and air, and at night the temperature drops sharply by a couple of tens of degrees and can drop to negative levels.

The maximum air temperature worldwide was recorded in the Libyan desert of the African tropical zone and reached 58 °C.

The northern coast, as well as the extreme south of the mainland, occupies a subtropical zone, which is characterized by a change in air masses and a division of the year into seasons.

The average temperature per year is approximately 20 °C. It varies significantly depending on the summer and winter seasons.

Subtropical climate of Africa

The subtropical zone of Africa in the northern and southwestern parts of the continent is characterized by a Mediterranean climate with hot summers and precipitation in winter, which is brought by temperate air.

The southeast has a subtropical humid climate.

It contributes to the fact that throughout the year, precipitation here is distributed fairly evenly.