African Climate Zones PDF

Africa’s Weather & Climate Africa has 7 different climate regions that is influenced by: Its position over the equator. Almost symmetrical halving between hemispheres Land and sea proximity Topography (shape) Ocean currents About 70% of Africa lies between the trop...

Africa’s Weather & Climate Africa has 7 different climate regions that is influenced by: Its position over the equator. Almost symmetrical halving between hemispheres Land and sea proximity Topography (shape) Ocean currents About 70% of Africa lies between the tropics, therefore most climates are tropical. However, there are 3 broad categories: Tropical: equatorial & savanna Semi-desert & dryland: semi-desert & desert Humid mid-latitude: mediterranean, highveld & humid subtropical Equatorial Savanna (grasslands) Semi-arid Desert Mediterranean Highveld Humid subtropical  Equatorial Found between 6°—7° north & south High temperatures throughout the year because of high solar angle throughout the year. Receives convectional rainfall (because of intense heat during the day) often thunderstorms High annual rainfall Savanna Found between 5°—15° north & south This is a transition zone between equatorial and desert climatic areas Summer = hot temperatures + rainfall Winter = cool temperatures + dry The dry season is a progressive decline in total annual rainfall (usually 3—8 months long in Tanzania) Temperatures are warm throughout the year because of the warming effect of the warm Mozambique current High annual rainfall throughout most of the year due to the wetting effect Semi-arid Winters = cold and dry Rainfall in summer Saturated on dry sides of savanna and Namibian Sahara Summers are very hot >32° Desert Winters = warm Very high temperatures Little to no rainfall Low humidity Highveld Winters this region is found in the highveld of the republic of South Africa It is the smallest of all the climatic zones Experiences summer rainfall Winter is dry and sunny Plateau is situated at high altitudes.  Mediterranean Found in the northern and southern tips of Africa A hot, sunny (bright) and dry summer season – cold ocean currents that bring dry air Receives rainfall mostly in winter – wet, moist air from warm ocean currents brings rain Humid Subtropical Occurs in Southeast Africa Characterized by year-round rainfall, heaviest in summer. Summers are long, hot, and humid. Deep tropical air current dominates. Daily intense, brief convective thundershowers occur. Winter temperatures may be mild or slightly above freezing.