Climate of South Africa
Encyclopedia
South Africa
, which geopolitically resides between the 22nd
and 34th degrees south
, is part OF Southern Hemisphere
's subtropical zone. It experiences a wider diversity of climatological changes than most other countries in sub-Saharan Africa
, but also tends to retain lower average temperatures than other countries that reside within this range of latitude. In a simple, straightforward sense the western cape province in particular, and the western part of the country have a Mediterranean climate with warm to hot, dry, sunny summer weather and mild, rainy conditions in winter. The pleasant Mediterranean climate of the western coastal regions is an opposing contrast to the climate of the eastern coastal and northeastern interior regions. The eastern coast and northeastern interior experiences a subtropical climate and subtropical highland climate respectively. Both climate types in the two regions share similar characteristics: hot, humid summers with frequent late afternoon thunderstorms from November to March, and a cooler, dry and sunny winter season lasting from June to September. In a broader climatological sense, the dry season lasts from April and extends all the way to October, nearing the beginning of the hot, humid wet season.
, with the coldest days in July-August. The Benguela Current
, a cold motion that moves from the lower South Atlantic Ocean
(including South Africa, Namibia
and Angola
), causes moderate temperatures on the West Coast. On the central plateau, which includes Free State
and Gauteng
provinces, the altitude keeps the average temperatures below 30 °C (86 °F); Johannesburg
, for example, lies at 1753 metres (5,751.3 ft).
In winter, also due to altitude, temperatures drop to the freezing point, and in some places, even lower. Heavy snows have fallen for the first time in decades in Johannesburg. During winter, it is warmest in the coastal regions, especially on the eastern Indian Ocean
coast.
Precipitation is to be expected mainly in the summer months, with the exception of the Western Cape
, which is a winter-rain area that enjoys a Mediterranean climate
.
is the eastern plateau area of South Africa. It is typified by Johannesburg
, at an elevation of 1753 metres (5,751.3 ft). The former CBD
is located on the south side of the prominent ridge called the Witwatersrand
(Afrikaans
: White Water's Ridge) and the terrain falls to the north and south. By and large the Witwatersrand marks the watershed between the Limpopo and Vaal rivers. The north and west of the city has undulating hills while the eastern parts are flatter.
The city enjoys a dry, sunny climate, with the exception of occasional late afternoon downpours in the summer months of October to April. Temperatures in Johannesburg are usually fairly mild due to the city's high altitude, with the average maximum daytime temperature in January of 26 °C (78.8 °F), dropping to an average maximum of around 16 °C (60.8 °F) in June. Winter is the sunniest time of the year, with cool days and cold nights. The temperature occasionally drops to below freezing at night, causing frost
. Snow is a rare occurrence, with snowfall having been experienced in May 1956, August 1962, June 1964, September 1981, August 2006 (light), and on 27 June 2007, accumulating up to 10 centimetres (3.9 in) in the southern suburbs.
Regular cold fronts pass over in winter bringing very cold southerly winds but usually clear skies. The annual average rainfall is 713 millimetres (28.1 in), which is mostly concentrated in the summer months. Infrequent showers occur through the course of the winter months.
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
, which geopolitically resides between the 22nd
22nd parallel south
The 22nd parallel south is a circle of latitude that is 22 degrees south of the Earth's equatorial plane. It crosses the Atlantic Ocean, Africa, the Indian Ocean, Australasia, the Pacific Ocean and South America....
and 34th degrees south
34th parallel south
The 34th parallel south is a circle of latitude that is 34 degrees south of the Earth's equatorial plane. It crosses the Atlantic Ocean, Africa, the Indian Ocean, Australasia, the Pacific Ocean and South America....
, is part OF Southern Hemisphere
Southern Hemisphere
The Southern Hemisphere is the part of Earth that lies south of the equator. The word hemisphere literally means 'half ball' or "half sphere"...
's subtropical zone. It experiences a wider diversity of climatological changes than most other countries in sub-Saharan Africa
Sub-Saharan Africa
Sub-Saharan Africa as a geographical term refers to the area of the African continent which lies south of the Sahara. A political definition of Sub-Saharan Africa, instead, covers all African countries which are fully or partially located south of the Sahara...
, but also tends to retain lower average temperatures than other countries that reside within this range of latitude. In a simple, straightforward sense the western cape province in particular, and the western part of the country have a Mediterranean climate with warm to hot, dry, sunny summer weather and mild, rainy conditions in winter. The pleasant Mediterranean climate of the western coastal regions is an opposing contrast to the climate of the eastern coastal and northeastern interior regions. The eastern coast and northeastern interior experiences a subtropical climate and subtropical highland climate respectively. Both climate types in the two regions share similar characteristics: hot, humid summers with frequent late afternoon thunderstorms from November to March, and a cooler, dry and sunny winter season lasting from June to September. In a broader climatological sense, the dry season lasts from April and extends all the way to October, nearing the beginning of the hot, humid wet season.
Seasons
South Africa has the seasons of weather as typical for the southern hemisphereSouthern Hemisphere
The Southern Hemisphere is the part of Earth that lies south of the equator. The word hemisphere literally means 'half ball' or "half sphere"...
, with the coldest days in July-August. The Benguela Current
Benguela Current
The Benguela Current is the broad, northward flowing ocean current that forms the eastern portion of the South Atlantic Ocean gyre. The current extends from roughly Cape Point in the south, to the position of the Angola-Benguela Front in the north, at around 16°S. The current is driven by the...
, a cold motion that moves from the lower South Atlantic Ocean
Atlantic Ocean
The Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest of the world's oceanic divisions. With a total area of about , it covers approximately 20% of the Earth's surface and about 26% of its water surface area...
(including South Africa, Namibia
Namibia
Namibia, officially the Republic of Namibia , is a country in southern Africa whose western border is the Atlantic Ocean. It shares land borders with Angola and Zambia to the north, Botswana to the east and South Africa to the south and east. It gained independence from South Africa on 21 March...
and Angola
Angola
Angola, officially the Republic of Angola , is a country in south-central Africa bordered by Namibia on the south, the Democratic Republic of the Congo on the north, and Zambia on the east; its west coast is on the Atlantic Ocean with Luanda as its capital city...
), causes moderate temperatures on the West Coast. On the central plateau, which includes Free State
Free State
The Free State is a province of South Africa. Its capital is Bloemfontein, which is also South Africa's judicial capital. Its historical origins lie in the Orange Free State Boer republic and later Orange Free State Province. The current borders of the province date from 1994 when the Bantustans...
and Gauteng
Gauteng
Gauteng is one of the nine provinces of South Africa. It was formed from part of the old Transvaal Province after South Africa's first all-race elections on 27 April 1994...
provinces, the altitude keeps the average temperatures below 30 °C (86 °F); Johannesburg
Johannesburg
Johannesburg also known as Jozi, Jo'burg or Egoli, is the largest city in South Africa, by population. Johannesburg is the provincial capital of Gauteng, the wealthiest province in South Africa, having the largest economy of any metropolitan region in Sub-Saharan Africa...
, for example, lies at 1753 metres (5,751.3 ft).
In winter, also due to altitude, temperatures drop to the freezing point, and in some places, even lower. Heavy snows have fallen for the first time in decades in Johannesburg. During winter, it is warmest in the coastal regions, especially on the eastern Indian Ocean
Indian Ocean
The Indian Ocean is the third largest of the world's oceanic divisions, covering approximately 20% of the water on the Earth's surface. It is bounded on the north by the Indian Subcontinent and Arabian Peninsula ; on the west by eastern Africa; on the east by Indochina, the Sunda Islands, and...
coast.
Precipitation is to be expected mainly in the summer months, with the exception of the Western Cape
Western Cape
The Western Cape is a province in the south west of South Africa. The capital is Cape Town. Prior to 1994, the region that now forms the Western Cape was part of the much larger Cape Province...
, which is a winter-rain area that enjoys a Mediterranean climate
Mediterranean climate
A Mediterranean climate is the climate typical of most of the lands in the Mediterranean Basin, and is a particular variety of subtropical climate...
.
Highveld climate
The HighveldHighveld
The Highveld is a high plateau region of inland South Africa which is largely home to the largest metropolitan area in the country, the Gauteng City Region, which accounts for one-third of South Africa's population.-Location and description:...
is the eastern plateau area of South Africa. It is typified by Johannesburg
Johannesburg
Johannesburg also known as Jozi, Jo'burg or Egoli, is the largest city in South Africa, by population. Johannesburg is the provincial capital of Gauteng, the wealthiest province in South Africa, having the largest economy of any metropolitan region in Sub-Saharan Africa...
, at an elevation of 1753 metres (5,751.3 ft). The former CBD
Central business district
A central business district is the commercial and often geographic heart of a city. In North America this part of a city is commonly referred to as "downtown" or "city center"...
is located on the south side of the prominent ridge called the Witwatersrand
Witwatersrand
The Witwatersrand is a low, sedimentary range of hills, at an elevation of 1700–1800 metres above sea-level, which runs in an east-west direction through Gauteng in South Africa. The word in Afrikaans means "the ridge of white waters". Geologically it is complex, but the principal formations...
(Afrikaans
Afrikaans
Afrikaans is a West Germanic language, spoken natively in South Africa and Namibia. It is a daughter language of Dutch, originating in its 17th century dialects, collectively referred to as Cape Dutch .Afrikaans is a daughter language of Dutch; see , , , , , .Afrikaans was historically called Cape...
: White Water's Ridge) and the terrain falls to the north and south. By and large the Witwatersrand marks the watershed between the Limpopo and Vaal rivers. The north and west of the city has undulating hills while the eastern parts are flatter.
The city enjoys a dry, sunny climate, with the exception of occasional late afternoon downpours in the summer months of October to April. Temperatures in Johannesburg are usually fairly mild due to the city's high altitude, with the average maximum daytime temperature in January of 26 °C (78.8 °F), dropping to an average maximum of around 16 °C (60.8 °F) in June. Winter is the sunniest time of the year, with cool days and cold nights. The temperature occasionally drops to below freezing at night, causing frost
Frost
Frost is the solid deposition of water vapor from saturated air. It is formed when solid surfaces are cooled to below the dew point of the adjacent air as well as below the freezing point of water. Frost crystals' size differ depending on time and water vapour available. Frost is also usually...
. Snow is a rare occurrence, with snowfall having been experienced in May 1956, August 1962, June 1964, September 1981, August 2006 (light), and on 27 June 2007, accumulating up to 10 centimetres (3.9 in) in the southern suburbs.
Regular cold fronts pass over in winter bringing very cold southerly winds but usually clear skies. The annual average rainfall is 713 millimetres (28.1 in), which is mostly concentrated in the summer months. Infrequent showers occur through the course of the winter months.