Climatic conditions in different parts of the country of South Africa. Republic of South Africa. Natural resources of South Africa

The position of the Congo Basin in equatorial and subequatorial latitudes determines the features of its climate. The northern part of the depression has an equatorial, Azande uplift, and the entire southern part has a subequatorial climate. In the depression, the continental tropical air is transformed into equatorial air and ascending air currents dominate, with which showers are associated.

Temperatures are high and uniform throughout the year. In the equatorial zone, average monthly temperatures vary within +23 - +25°С. Their fluctuations increase on marginal uplifts. So, in Katanga the temperature of the warmest month is +24°C, the coldest is +16°C. However, the main differences in climate are not related to temperature conditions, but to the precipitation regime.

In the central part of the basin, precipitation falls evenly, with maxima in spring and autumn, during periods of the zenithal position of the Sun; their number per year reaches 2000 mm or more. When moving north and south, the rainy periods gradually merge into one long and relatively short (2-3 months) dry period (with precipitation below the average monthly norm). The north of the country is located at lower latitudes than the south, so the dry season is less pronounced there. As a result, the amount of precipitation decreases. On the northern and southern marginal uplifts, 1500-1700 mm of moisture falls annually. The wettest windward slopes of the South Guinea Upland, up to 3000 mm of precipitation falls here annually. The driest is the coastal lowland south of the mouth of the Congo (500 mm per year or less), where the influence of the cold Benguela Current and the descending air currents of the South Atlantic High affects; temperatures also drop, especially in summer.

Climate of South Africa

The South African plateau lies in the subequatorial, tropical and subtropical climatic zones. However, tropical climate types predominate. In the summer of the Southern Hemisphere, a local baric depression forms over the Kalahari. The north of the region (up to the middle reaches of the Zambezi) is irrigated by the summer equatorial monsoon. The entire eastern part is influenced by the southeast trade wind, which brings humid tropical air from the Indian Ocean, heated over the warm Mozambique current. Abundant precipitation falls on the Mozambique lowlands, the slopes of the Great Escarpment and the eastern marginal plateaus. To the west of the Great Ledge and the marginal plateaus, marine tropical air quickly transforms into continental air and the amount of precipitation decreases. The west coast is under the influence of the South Atlantic High, which is intensified by the powerful cold Benguela Current. Atlantic air warms up over the surface of the mainland and emits almost no precipitation. On the western marginal plateaus there is a front between the maritime Atlantic and continental tropical air; here the amount of precipitation increases slightly. In the winter of the Southern Hemisphere, a local anticyclone forms over the plateau, merging with the South Atlantic and South Indian baric maxima. Downward currents of air cause the dry season; precipitation does not fall.

The South African Plateau is an area of ​​relatively high temperatures, significant daily and annual fluctuations. But on the plateau temperatures are moderated by a considerable height. Over most of the plateau, summer temperatures are +20 - +25°C, not rising above +40°C; winter temperatures are +10 - +16°С. The Upper Karoo Plateau experiences frosts in winter, while snow falls on the Basuto Highlands.

The plateau is an area of ​​predominantly meager precipitation, which is distributed very unevenly over its territory. Their number decreases when moving from east and north to west and south. In the north of the region, up to 1500 mm of moisture falls annually; here the rainy season brought by the equatorial monsoons lasts up to 7 months. A lot of precipitation falls on the east coast, where the barrier role of the Great Ledge is especially pronounced. Precipitation is brought here by the southeast summer trade wind (more than 1000 mm per year, and on the slopes of the Basuto highlands - over 2000 mm). The most frequent and heavy rains fall from November to April. On the eastern marginal plateaus, precipitation decreases on the Weld Plateau (750-500) and Matabele (750-1000 mm). The summer maximum precipitation is also preserved in the interior regions, but their annual amounts are decreasing. On the central Kalahari plains, the rainy season is reduced to 5-6 months, the annual precipitation does not exceed 500 mm. To the southwest, the amount of precipitation decreases to 125 mm per year. The driest part of the region is the coastal Namib desert (less than 100 mm of precipitation per year). Little precipitation will fall on the western marginal plateaus (up to 300 mm per year).

The climate of the Cape Mountains is subtropical. In the southwest, it is of the Mediterranean type, with rainy, warm winters and dry, hot summers. Temperatures are tempered by altitude and sea. In Cape Town, the average temperature in January is + 21°C, in July + 12°C. Rains begin in April, are heavy from June to September, and then stop as moist westerly winds give way to subtropical anticyclone winds. In winter, snow falls on the tops of the mountains. In the western part of the mountains, on their windward slopes, the greatest amount of precipitation falls (up to 1800 mm per year). To the east, their number decreases to 800 mm. East of 22° E. in the precipitation regime, the typical features of the Mediterranean climate disappear, and the summer maximum begins to predominate due to the penetration of humid oceanic monsoons onto the mainland. There is little precipitation on the coastal plain (in Cape Town - 650 mm per year). The climate of the inner parts of the mountains is subtropical continental.

The climate of Madagascar is mostly tropical and hot. In the north, the average temperature of the coldest month (July) is +20°С, the warmest (January) is +27°С. In the south, the average July temperature drops to +13°C, the average January temperature drops to +33°C. On the plateau, the climate is temperate, with temperatures decreasing with altitude. In Antananarivo, at an altitude of 1400 m, the average January temperature is below + 20 ° С, the average July temperature is + 12- + 13 ° С. The amount of precipitation in different parts of the island is not the same. The main mass of precipitation is brought by the southeast trade wind from the Indian Ocean. Therefore, on the east coast (lowlands and slopes of the plateau), rain falls almost evenly throughout the year and the amount of precipitation reaches 3000 mm per year. On the eastern plateaus, the amount of precipitation decreases, but exceeds 1500 mm. In the west of the island there are rainy and dry periods. The amount of precipitation decreases from 1000 to 500 mm per year. In the extreme southwest, inaccessible to humid air currents, less than 400 mm of moisture falls annually.

From this we can conclude that the climate of the regions of Africa and their parts is significantly different (table 3.1). This is facilitated by the differences between different climate-forming factors and the intensity of their influence on a certain territory.

Table 3.1 Regional climate differences in Africa

Characteristic

The climatic conditions of the country vary 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 usually falls in the summer (November to March), while the southwest in Cape Town during the winter (June to August). The air temperature here depends on the height of the terrain, 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 is recorded in the provinces of the North 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 phenomena

Impact on climate

Climatic conditions vary greatly between the western and eastern parts of the country. From the east, the South African coast is washed by the warm current of Cape Agulhas (Indian Ocean), from the west by the cold Benguela Current (Atlantic Ocean). The air temperature in Durban, on the coast of the Indian Ocean, is on average almost 6 °C warmer than the air temperature at the same latitude on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. 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 east side than on the west.

Precipitation

Rainfall varies greatly from west to east. In the northwest, annual rainfall is often below 200 millimetres. Most of the eastern regions, on the contrary, receive between 500 millimeters and 900 millimeters of precipitation per year, and sometimes the amount of precipitation 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; areas to the east of it are generally suitable for growing crops, and to the west only for grazing and irrigated crops.

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 west of the Roggeveld Range, where temperatures can reach -15 ° in winter, but in fact the lowest temperatures are witnessed in Beffelsfontein (Eastern Cape): -18.6 °. The highest temperatures are found inland: the Kalahari near Upington recorded a temperature of 51.7°C in 1948.

Notes

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South Africa (Republic van Suid Afrika, Republic of South Africa). I. General information South Africa is a state in the extreme south of Africa. It borders in the north with Botswana and Southern Rhodesia (Zimbabwe), in the north with Mozambique and Swaziland, in the north with ... ... Great Soviet Encyclopedia- (South Africa) (Afrikaans Republiek van Suid Afrika; English Republic of South Africa) a state in southern Africa. 1.2 million km². population 40.7 million people (1993), including Africans (76%; Zulu, Xhosa, etc.), mestizos (9%), immigrants from Europe (13%), mainly ... ... Big Encyclopedic Dictionary

- (South Africa) (Afrikaans Republiek van Suid Afrika; English Republic of South Africa), a state in southern Africa. 1.2 million km2. The population is 41.7 million people (1996), including Africans (76%; Zulu, Xhosa, etc.), mestizos (9%), immigrants from Europe (13%), mainly ... encyclopedic Dictionary

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It belongs to those rare corners on our planet where not every tourist gets. But almost everyone who is familiar with the call of wanderings and the aroma of the earth scorched under the sun dreams of such a journey. Although South Africa, whose climate is very diverse, can give not only sunny days, but also rainy weeks, when everything around for many kilometers is under the influence of bad weather.

geographical position

South Africa is a fairly young state, today it is not even a hundred years old. But the history of this place is truly unique and belongs to the most ancient on the planet.

South Africa is located in the southern part of the African continent and extends over more than one million square kilometers. Nine provinces and three capitals are located in this territory. Few people know that South Africa is one of the richest countries in the world. There are deposits of manganese, diamonds and gold, and the recognized leaders in the list of countries recommended for visiting can envy the diversity of flora and fauna.

Such a variety of plants and animals, many of which are truly unique, provided South Africa with a climate. He miraculously preserved rare plant species that cannot be found anywhere else on the planet and provided a comfortable life for many animal species.

The climate of South Africa: briefly about the main

Speaking briefly about the climate of the Republic of South Africa, the most important thing to mention is the number of climatic zones. There are twenty of them on the territory of the state, this does not occur in any other country in the world! These amazing features of the climate of South Africa provided the state with an influx of tourists who a few years ago were able to appreciate the possibilities of recreation in the Republic of South Africa. After all, in one trip you can easily cross several climatic zones and see rare species of animals live.

South Africa: nature and climate

The territory of South Africa is washed by the waters of two oceans at once, which significantly affects the climate of the state. The Indian Ocean brings warm subtropical air, while the Atlantic contributes to the formation of hot and dry air masses over most of South Africa. In general, the climate in the country can be described as moderate, which is very unusual for such a geographical location. But do not forget that South Africa is quite high above sea level and is often influenced by fresh ocean breezes. This feature makes it easy to endure even summer heat exceeding thirty-five degrees Celsius.

The twenty climatic zones that exist in South Africa can be roughly divided into:

• tropics;
• subtropics;
• mediterranean.

The east of the country is characterized by high humidity and high average annual temperatures, which is very similar to the Asian mainland. The north of South Africa can be safely attributed to a tropical climate with a lot of rainfall, but the south is just a Mediterranean paradise. Tourists from Europe often come here, surprised by quite pleasant and comfortable climatic conditions.

The climate of South Africa: interesting features

For those who come to South Africa for the first time, the climate can bring many surprises and surprises. For example, the spread of average annual temperatures in different parts of the country is quite surprising. It can reach up to ten or twelve degrees, which is absolutely impossible in other states.

Winter and summer in South Africa are the opposite of the usual seasons for residents of Europe and Asia. Summer lasts from October to April, and winter begins in May. Moreover, spring and autumn fly by almost imperceptibly, they are very short. Usually the off-season does not last more than two or three weeks. The average monthly summer temperature is twenty-five degrees above zero Celsius, in winter, especially in the desert, the thermometer can drop to zero. In the daytime, even in winter, the air warms up quickly, which allows tourists to visit South Africa at any time of the year.

The influence of climate on the flora and fauna of South Africa

A large territory of South Africa is given over to national parks and reserves. It is forbidden to hunt in them, and ideal conditions for the active life of animals are created. Tourists who come to the African continent try to go on a safari to see lions, elephants and rhinos in their natural habitat. They feel great in a large number of climatic zones, and after a ban on their shooting was introduced, they significantly increased their population.

For botanists, South Africa is simply a paradise, because many houseplants known to us were taken to Europe from here. Today, the country boasts the largest number of endemic plants in the world. Now there are more than five thousand species that are not found anywhere else in nature. This fact makes the climate of South Africa really special.

Of great interest to scientists is the silver flower, which is the symbol of the country. The fact is that it is found only in South Africa. The climate of the country surprisingly affects this plant. On the one hand, climatic conditions allow the flower to grow within the same habitat zone, but on the other hand, it is the climate that does not allow the possibility of spreading this plant throughout the territory of the Republic of South Africa.

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 from October to March, at which time the air temperature can range from 15 to 35 degrees. Winter weather is established from June to August, when temperatures can drop below zero at night and rise to twenty degrees during the day. Spring and autumn take short periods of time - two months each.

Climate of South Africa by months:

Spring

Spring in South Africa comes in August. At this time, the temperature begins to rise, its daily jumps increase. In August, in different zones of the South African region, the temperature during the day can rise to 20 degrees, and at night it can drop to 8-10 degrees. In September, these figures increase by an average of 2-5 degrees. Water in rivers and lakes is warming, its temperature is about 15 degrees. At this time, vegetation is actively developing and flourishing. So, in Botswana, acacias, mokutemo and other plants begin to grow and bloom.

In spring, in areas located far from the coast, the wind season begins. Unlike winter and other seasons, 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 starts in October. During this season, temperatures can reach 35 degrees in different areas. During the day, the entire territory is dry heat, but at night the thermometers drop to fifteen degrees. In some places, such as South Africa, there are strong diurnal temperature fluctuations, when the air cools to below zero at night. Usually such differences are found in the mountains. The largest amount of precipitation occurs during this time. Then the flowering of vegetation begins.

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

Autumn

The autumn season begins in South Africa in April and does not last very long - until about mid-May. This is a very interesting time of the year. Despite the fact that there is very little precipitation in autumn, thick fog rises almost throughout the night and in the morning. The temperature gradually drops down, the daily fluctuations become smaller. For example, in April in South Africa, the temperature rises to 23 degrees during the day, and drops to 12 degrees at night. In some countries, for example, in Zimbabwe, such a season as autumn is not distinguished at all, winter comes abruptly, in late March - early April.

Winter

The winter period is the most varied weather season in South Africa. This season starts in June and ends in August. On average, the temperature fluctuates between 10-20 degrees Celsius. On the territory of the savannahs and plains, precipitation is extremely rare, but snow often lies in the mountains. In mountainous areas, the air temperature can drop well below zero. Although most of the regions are characterized by mild frosts.

In South Africa, there are no animals that would hibernate with the onset of cold weather. 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.