Average temperatures in July and January in South Africa. Seasons, weather and climate of south africa. Subequatorial climate zone

Answer from Helga[guru]
The climate is tropical and subtropical.
Average temperatures in January are 18-27°C, in July 7-10°C;
The seasons in South Africa are opposite to those of the Northern Hemisphere. Summer occurs from October to March and temperatures average between 15°C at night and 35°C at midday. Winter lasts from June to August with temperatures ranging from 0°C or even lower at night (Kalahari Desert, Drakensberg) to 20°C at midday. Spring (August - September) and autumn (April - May) are short.
Temperatures in South Africa decrease from east to west.
Under the influence of the cold Benguela Current, which follows along the west coast, temperatures drop significantly. The average annual temperature at Port Nolloth is 14°C, but on the east coast, influenced by the warm Indian Ocean, temperatures are high, and Durban has an average annual temperature of 22°C. On the other hand, the temperature difference between the northern and southern regions is small as the altitudes increase towards north. The southern tip of the mainland (Cape Agulhas) and Johannesburg (located 1450 km to the north, but at an altitude of 1740 m above sea level) have an average annual temperature of approx. 16° C.
The central plateau has a sharply continental climate with pronounced contrasts in daily and annual temperatures. Summer weather is hot with dazzling sunshine and occasional severe thunderstorms. Kimberley, located at an altitude of 1220 m above sea level. m., in January has an average maximum temperature of 32 ° C, and an average minimum temperature of 17 ° C. On the other hand, in winter the weather is pleasantly warm during the day (the average maximum temperature in July is 19 ° C) due to the bright sunshine, but the nights are cold ( minimum July temperature 2° C). Winters are very dry, with almost no precipitation in June, July and August.
Namaqualand is a very dry area, with precipitation varying from a maximum of 200 mm in the mountains of the interior to a minimum of less than 25 mm on the coast. On the coast the weather is cool and temperatures are fairly constant. Outside the zone of influence of the onshore breeze, temperatures rise greatly in summer.
The Cape region has the same favorable climate as the Mediterranean coast of Europe and southern California. In winter the weather is rainy, and in summer it is dry. Precipitation occurs from May to September. On the coast it usually falls as rain, but in higher mountains (such as Table Mountain near Cape Town) there is occasional snowfall. Their number varies greatly depending on the nature of the relief. In Cape Town, the average annual rainfall reaches 630 mm, while some high mountains typically receive 2540 mm. Temperatures in Cape Town vary greatly throughout the year. In July (winter) the average minimum temperature is 9°C and the average maximum is 17°C; in January (summer) the average minimum temperature is 16 ° C, and the average maximum is 27 ° C. Within the region, however, large temperature contrasts are observed, which depends on exposure to the moderating influence of the ocean; in the inland valleys summers are hotter and winters colder than on the coast.
The South Coastal region receives as much rainfall in winter as the Cape region, and in summer as much as the South-East Coastal region.
The southeastern coastal region receives most of its rainfall during the summer months, but no month is truly dry. Durban receives 1,140 mm of liquid precipitation per year, with an average of 150 mm in March and only 40 mm in July. Summers are very warm and humid with an average maximum temperature of 28°C and an average minimum of 21°C in January. Winters are mild and pleasant with an average maximum temperature of 22°C and an average minimum of 13°C in July.
The Transvaal Low Veld receives large amounts of rainfall in summer, up to 2030 mm in some places. Winters are dry and sunny. High temperatures prevail all year round.

The climate of South Africa is temperate with a large number of sunny days a year. The main factors influencing it are the altitude above sea level and the oceans surrounding the country. More than 75% of the territory is located above 600 m above sea level, 50% of the territory is located at an altitude of 1,000 to 1,600 m. Only a narrow coastal strip does not exceed 500 m above sea level. Moreover, every 1,000 m lowers the temperature by an average of 6 °C.

The coast of the country is washed by the waters of two oceans at once: the Atlantic Ocean brings cold air, and the Indian Ocean brings warm air. Due to the fact that South Africa is often exposed to ocean breezes, the summer heat, often exceeding +35˚C, is quite easily tolerated.

The amount of precipitation across the country is distributed unevenly. In the north-west it does not exceed 200 mm per year, in the central part 400 mm per year, and in the east the amount of precipitation ranges from 500 to 900 mm per year.

There are 20 climate zones in South Africa. They are conventionally divided into tropical, subtropical and Mediterranean zones. The east of the country can be classified as a subtropical climate, the north as a tropical climate, and the south as a Mediterranean climate.

For those who come here for the first time, the climate of South Africa can present some surprises. One of them is the strong variation in daytime temperatures in different parts of the state. The difference can be up to +10 – +12 ˚С, which is not typical for other countries. Summer and winter occur at different times compared to European countries. They correspond to the dry and wet seasons. Summer lasts from October to April, and winter from May to September. The off-season (autumn and spring) passes almost unnoticed, since it is very short (does not exceed 2 - 3 weeks a year).

Dry season (May - September)

There is virtually no precipitation all winter and the humidity is very low.

• May: daytime temperature about +26 ˚С, in the morning +10 ˚С.

• June - August: it becomes colder, in the daytime from +23 to 25 ˚С, in the morning +6 ˚С.

• September: the temperature gradually rises, in the afternoon up to +28 ˚С, in the morning up to +12 ˚С, the first rains occur.

Wet season (October - April)

On the coast of the Indian Ocean there is high humidity, temperatures reach +30 ˚С. It is very hot in the Kalahari Desert - up to +40˚С. Summer rains usually occur during the day.

• October - November: it becomes warmer, the first rains begin, the temperature during the day reaches +28 ˚С, in the morning up to +15 ˚С.

• December - February: the wettest months, during the day about +29 ˚С.

• March – April: the intensity of the rain subsides, it becomes colder, in the afternoon up to +28 ˚С, in the morning up to +15 ˚С.

Characteristic

The country's climatic conditions range from Mediterranean in the southwestern part to temperate in the central part of the country and subtropical in the northeast. A small area in the northwest has a desert climate. The area is characterized by warm, sunny days and cold nights. Precipitation generally occurs in the summer (November to March), although in the southwest in Cape Town it occurs in the winter (June to August). The air temperature here depends on the altitude of the area, sea level, ocean currents and latitude. The average temperature in some areas exceeds +32ºC in summer, and sometimes reaches +38ºC in the north of the country. The absolute maximum was recorded in the provinces of the Northern Cape and Mpumalanga and is +48ºC. Negative temperatures occur in the mountains at high altitudes in winter. The absolute minimum was recorded at 250 km. northeast of Cape Town, where the average annual temperature is: - 6.1ºC.

Extreme natural events

Impact on climate

Climatic conditions vary greatly between the western and eastern parts of the country. From the east, the coast of South Africa is washed by the warm Cape Agulhas Current (Indian Ocean), and from the west by the cold Benguela Current (Atlantic Ocean). The air temperature in Durban, on the Indian Ocean coast, is on average almost 6 °C warmer than the air temperature at the same latitude on the Atlantic coast. The influence of these two currents can be seen even on the narrow peninsula of the Cape of Good Hope, where water temperatures average 4 °C higher on the eastern side than on the west.

Precipitation

The amount of precipitation varies significantly from west to east. In the northwest, annual rainfall is often below 200 millimeters. Most of the eastern regions, in contrast, receive between 500 millimeters and 900 millimeters of rainfall per year, and sometimes the amount of rainfall there exceeds 2000 mm. The central part of the country receives an average of 400 mm of precipitation per year, this figure increases as you approach the coast. An indicator of 400 mm of precipitation per year is considered a conditional line; the areas to the east of it are generally suitable for growing crops, and to the west only for grazing and irrigated crop cultivation.

Air temperature

The average annual temperature in Cape Town is 17ºC, and in Pretoria 17.5ºC, although these cities are separated from each other by almost ten degrees of latitude. It is often believed that the coldest place in the country is Sutherland in the western Roggeveld, where winter temperatures can reach -15°, but in fact the coldest temperatures are recorded in Beffelsfontein (Eastern Cape): -18.6°. The highest temperatures are found inland, with the Kalahari near Upington recording a temperature of 51.7°C in 1948.

Notes

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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, and 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. The northern, larger part of the continent, extends to the 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. The 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. The greatest amount of solar heat occurs in the 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 the heating of the earth’s surface, and from it, the air, depends. An important role belongs to other conditions: atmospheric circulation, the nature of the relief, features of the underlying surface, position relative to other continents and 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.

The difficult, sparsely populated natural area has been intensively developed in recent years. Forests are cut down to obtain valuable timber 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. More than 1/3 of Africa's territory is located in areas of subequatorial climate. In the eastern part, the transition belt is not interrupted by the equatorial one, in the southern hemisphere it does not reach the Atlantic Ocean.

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

1. 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.
2. In summer, the hot and humid air of equatorial latitudes dominates; in winter, dry tropical air mass arrives and becomes a little cooler.
3. The duration of the dry season ranges from 2 to 10 months. The average annual air temperature is over +20 °C, precipitation will be about 1000 mm/year (in the southern part of the belt).
4. The duration of the wet period and the average annual precipitation decrease towards the outskirts of the subequatorial belt.
5. 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 the average monthly temperature exceeds +30 °C.
6. The cool months of the wet period are characterized by temperatures of about +20 °C and above.

Savannah

In addition to its geographical location and atmospheric circulation, the climate features of Africa are determined by the characteristic features of the continent's topography. 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 the Indian and Atlantic oceans on the climate of the savannah zone, which stretches 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 where groundwater flows. 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 zone, the features of which are determined by the properties of air masses of temperate 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 the 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 is beach and excursion. In the savannahs - safari, jeeping. Less visited areas include impenetrable rainforests 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.

South Africa has many different climate zones. There are deserts and zones with a Mediterranean and even subtropical climate. The difference in temperature and humidity in different zones of this part of the world is quite significant. In general, the seasons here are directly opposite to the seasons in the Northern Hemisphere.

Weather in South Africa now:

Summer weather in South Africa occurs between October and March, during which time temperatures can range from 15 to 35 degrees. Winter weather sets in from June to August, when temperatures can drop below zero at night and rise to twenty degrees during the day. Spring and autumn occupy short periods of time - two months each.

South Africa climate by month:

Spring

Spring in South Africa begins in August. At this time, the temperature begins to rise, its daily fluctuations increase. In August, in different zones of the southern African region, temperatures during the day can rise to 20 degrees, and at night drop to 8-10 degrees. In September, these indicators increase by an average of 2-5 degrees. The water in rivers and lakes is warming, its temperature is approximately 15 degrees. At this time, vegetation is actively developing and blooming. Thus, in Botswana, acacias, mokutemo and other plants begin to grow and bloom.

In spring, in areas located far from the coast, the windy season begins. Unlike winter and other times of the year, when the wind speed is rarely one and a half meters per second, in August the wind speed reaches 8 meters per second.

Summer

Summer in South Africa begins in October. During this season, temperatures in different areas can reach 35 degrees. During the day, the entire territory experiences dry heat, while at night the thermometer drops to fifteen degrees. Some places, such as South Africa, experience strong diurnal temperature fluctuations, with the air cooling to below zero at night. Usually such differences occur in the mountains. The highest amount of precipitation occurs at this time. Then the flowering of vegetation begins.

The small southern African country of Swaziland is distinguished by its enormous diversity and richness of flora. There are about two and a half thousand plant species here. These are all kinds of flowers and shrubs. This time of year accounts for most of the holidays in Southern Africa. The largest of them are New Year and Christmas, which is celebrated according to Catholic custom on December 25.

Autumn

The autumn season begins in South Africa in April and lasts only a short time - until about mid-May. This is a very interesting time of year. Despite the fact that there is very little precipitation in autumn, at night and in the morning thick fog rises over almost the entire territory. The temperature gradually drops down, daily differences become smaller. For example, in April in South Africa, the temperature during the day rises to 23 degrees, and at night drops to 12 degrees. In some countries, for example, in Zimbabwe, there is no such season as autumn at all; winter comes abruptly, at the end of March - beginning of April.

Winter

Winter is the most varied weather season in South Africa. This time of year begins in June and ends in August. On average, the temperature fluctuates between 10-20 degrees Celsius. In the savannahs and plains, precipitation is extremely rare, but in the mountains there is often snow. In mountainous areas, air temperatures can drop significantly below zero. Although most areas are characterized by light frosts.

There are no animals in South Africa that hibernate when cold weather sets in. Representatives of the local fauna generally behave the same at any time of the year. The fauna here is quite diverse. You can meet both predatory animals - such as jackals, hyenas, leopards and lions, as well as herbivorous elephants, antelopes, zebras and all kinds of monkeys.