The northern coast of the continent is characterized by a subtropical Mediterranean climate. The summer here is hot and dry, the temperature rises to +40 - +45 C. The winter is mild and relatively warm, the daytime temperature in January-February is about +17 C, the night temperature drops to +6 - + 7 C.
In the Atlas Mountains, which are located in the northwestern part of the continent, the climate is sharp continental dry, with large temperature amplitudes and rare rainfall. The climate in the mountains is quite severe. The average monthly temperature in the summer months is +28 C, the maximum recorded is +50 C. In winter, the temperature drops to +6 - +8 C, it can drop to minus 10 degrees.
The Sahara Desert has a desert climate, sharply continental, characterized by significant temperature fluctuations throughout the year and even days. The temperature difference between day and night can be up to 30 degrees. In summer, the air warms up to +38 - +40 C during the day, the night temperature in summer is +25 - +28 C. In winter, the air warms up to +15 - +18 C during the day, and at night it often drops below zero. Precipitation in this area does not fall for several years, and when it does, it often does not have time to reach the ground. The amount of precipitation is 50-100 mm per year.
Separately, it is worth highlighting the coastal areas of the Red Sea. Egypt and Sudan have access to the sea. The climate in the coastal regions is subequatorial. The average monthly temperature during the year does not drop below +20 degrees. In Sudan, southwesterly winds bring humid weather in summer, with about 2000 mm of precipitation per year in this region.
Central Africa
Central Africa is located in the subequatorial and equatorial climatic zone. It's hot and humid here. On the formation of the climate of the region big influence rendered by air masses coming from the Atlantic Ocean.
The air temperature is high throughout the year, during the day it rises to +28 C, in the afternoon there are tropical showers almost daily, which quickly end. There is no change of seasons, and this weather pattern is observed all year round. In the equatorial zone, 1500-2000 mm of precipitation falls, on the shores of the Gulf of Guinea - up to 3000 mm.
West Africa
The climate in this part of Africa varies from subequatorial in the north to equatorial in the south. There are no sharp seasonal fluctuations in temperature in the region. The average annual temperature is +26 C. On the coast of the Gulf of Guinea, up to 3000 mm of precipitation falls annually. Territories located closer to the Sahara Desert are drier, with little precipitation - 250-500 mm per year.
East Africa
On the east coast, the climate is Mediterranean, mild and humid, in areas that are located further inland, it is arid. In summer, the air warms up to +50 C, in the coolest months the temperature does not fall below +20 C.
On the East African Plateau, the weather is hot, with little rainfall during the winter. In the mountains, there is much more precipitation - up to 3000 mm.
The lower slopes of the Ethiopian Highlands are characterized by a fairly high temperature in summer - up to +50 C. As the height increases, the temperature conditions change. At an altitude of up to 2500 m - the average annual air temperature is +20 C. At an altitude above 2500 m - snowy frosty winter, summer temperatures do not rise above +16 C.
In the savannas, the climate is determined by a clear alternation of the wet and dry seasons. The temperature during the year varies from +18 C to +32 C. In the warm half of the year (May-October), precipitation falls daily, this time is considered the best of the year.
South Africa
The climate of southern Africa is mostly tropical trade winds, subtropical in the extreme south. In the subtropical climate zone, the temperature never falls below +10 C, the summer is hot with little rainfall. Air temperature (December-February) - comfortable - +28 C - +32 C.
The Cape Mountains, located off the southern coast of the continent, is characterized by a subtropical climate with the maximum amount of precipitation falling in winter and summer.
The Kalahari Desert is one of the hottest areas in South Africa. In the summer period (November-April), a small amount of precipitation falls - up to 500 mm. The maximum air temperature is +28 - +30 C, the minimum temperature in the desert is +12 C. The climate is arid, precipitation falls in November-April, droughts are repeated every three to five years.
The climatic zones of Africa, despite the obvious differences, smoothly transition into one another, and do not change suddenly, which is mainly due to the absence of long and high mountain ranges.
Climate of Africa updated: March 5, 2020 by: Amazing World!
The widest part of Africa is located in the center of the hot zone of illumination. The whole continent is caressed by the sun all year round, receives a huge amount of energy from our luminary. The climate of Africa is determined by geographical location, air circulation, the influence of the oceans, and the nature of the underlying surface. According to the combination of these main factors, climatic zones (basic and transitional) are distinguished on the mainland: subtropical, tropical, subequatorial and equatorial. In this order, they are replaced in the northern hemisphere from north to south.
General characteristics of the African climate
The equator crosses the continent roughly in the center. Northern - the larger part of the 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, resembling a triangle in shape. The area from the equator to the Northern Tropic receives about 200 kcal/cm2 per year. The average figure for the total solar radiation on the mainland is 160 kcal/cm2 per year.
The climate of Africa is diverse, heat and moisture are distributed unevenly, especially in desert regions. Maximum amount precipitation is received by the southwestern foot of the Cameroon volcano - up to 10,000 mm / year. Africa surpasses other continents in terms of temperature, being the hottest of them. The largest number solar heat falls on the land mass located between the Northern and Southern tropics.
We will describe the climate of Africa according to the position of the territories of the continent relative to the equator. This is the main climate-forming factor on which heating depends. earth's surface, and from it - air. An important role belongs to other conditions: atmospheric circulation, the nature of the relief, the features of the underlying surface, the position relative to other continents, oceans. The main and transitional types of climate in Africa:
- Equatorial.
- Subequatorial (wet in the south, arid in the north).
- Tropical desert.
- Subtropical Mediterranean.
Equatorial climate of Africa
In the center of the mainland, near the 0° parallel, a hot and humid climate is formed. The equatorial belt covers the territory from 6 ° N. sh. up to 5°S sh. in the Congo basin in the east, on the coast of the Gulf of Guinea, it reaches 8 ° N. sh. The conditions of this region 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, 2000-3000 mm of precipitation falls annually. The moisture coefficient reaches 1.5-2 (excess).
evergreen forests
The equatorial climate of Africa creates favorable conditions for warm and moisture-loving plants. The equatorial region of Africa is covered with dense evergreen forests - hylaea. It is difficult for animals and people to be under the canopy of the forest, where it is gloomy and stuffy, the air is saturated with the smells of decaying litter and the scent of orchids.
Impenetrable sparsely populated natural area in last years intensively studied. Wood is cut down to obtain valuable timber for export. Mahogany, abachi (African maple) and other species are mined.
Subequatorial climate zone
It occupies vast expanses of the mainland from 20 ° S. sh. up to 17° s. sh. More than 1/3 of Africa is located in areas of subequatorial climate. In the eastern part, the transitional 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:
- Temperature conditions and humidity are determined by the alternating influence of tropical and equatorial air masses. As a result, seasons are formed - wet and dry.
- In summer, hot and wet air equatorial latitudes, in winter comes dry tropical air mass, it gets a little cooler.
- The rainless season lasts from 2 to 10 months. The average annual air temperature is over +20 °С, about 1000 mm/year of precipitation will fall (in the southern part of the belt).
- The duration of the humid period and the average annual precipitation decrease towards the margins of the subequatorial belt.
- In the northern regions, less rain falls, and the hot breath of the desert is felt. The hottest period of the year falls at the beginning of the rainy season, when the average monthly temperature exceeds +30 °C.
- The cool months of the humid period are characterized by temperatures around +20 °C and above.
Savannah
except geographical location and atmospheric circulation, the features of Africa's climate are determined feature relief of the mainland. The margins of the continent are uplifted; compared to the interior regions, 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. Features of flora and fauna in this part of the continent are determined by the alternation of the wet and dry seasons, the lack of moisture for the formation of full-fledged forests, full-flowing riverbeds.
tropical belt
Features of the climate of Africa in the region of the Northern and Southern tropics - 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 mainland up to the 30th parallel. A significant area of the continent is influenced by an arid tropical climate. In this zone, the highest average monthly rates are noted: +35 ... 40 ° С.
The North African massif receives a lot of solar radiation and very little moisture. Daytime temperatures rarely drop below 20°C. Snow lies on the mountain peaks in the tropics, and desert and semi-desert territories lie at the foot. The most extensive lifeless areas: in the north - the Sahara, in the south - the Namib.
Deserts and semi-deserts
There are areas in the Sahara where temperature minimums and maximums (-3 and +58 °С) were recorded. The daytime temperature on hot sand and stones reaches +60 ... 70 °С, at night it can drop to +10 °С. Daily temperature fluctuations reach 50 °C.
Precipitation in the deserts of Africa falls from 0 to 100 mm / year, which is extremely small. 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 comes out. Agriculture, cattle breeding, 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 in temperate and tropical latitudes. The subtropical climate is characterized by dry and rainy seasons, a significant influx of moisture, which contributes to the development of agriculture. The maximum number of rains 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 mainland attract numerous tourists. World-famous resorts are located on the coast of the Mediterranean and Red Seas, the Indian and Atlantic Oceans. The main direction of tourism development and types of recreation in North Africa is beach, sightseeing. In the savannas - safari, jeep. Less visited areas - impassable moist forests and uninhabited desert areas.
What is the climate 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. African climate is becoming arid, deserts are advancing in the north and south. A striking 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 felling of tree plantations, the widespread construction of cities, roads, the development of agriculture and cattle breeding.
Africa is the hottest continent in the world. It is located mainly in tropical and equatorial latitudes, and therefore receives a significant amount of solar radiation (in the northern part, the total radiation exceeds 836 kJ / cm 2 per year, in the rest of the territory - on average more than 669 kJ / cm 2). This reason determines the predominance of high positive temperatures in Africa.
In the main territory of the mainland, the average annual temperature exceeds +20°C. In summer, the air temperature in the Sahara rises to +40°C and higher, and the surface of the stones heats up to +70°C. In northern Africa, the highest air temperature on Earth (+58.1 ° C, Tripoli) was noted. Even on the northern and southern outskirts of the mainland, entering the subtropical average temperature winter months does not fall below +8...+12°С. However, the cold highland climate is represented on the peaks of the Ethiopian Highlands and the East African Plateau. In the equatorial latitudes, in the Congo depression and on the coast of the Gulf of Guinea, there are no differences in seasons - the air temperature throughout the year is about + 25 ° С.
Climatic conditions Africa is formed not only under the influence of seasonal differences in the heating of the northern and southern parts of the mainland. The distribution of temperatures and especially precipitation is related to the circulation of the atmosphere. Most of Africa is characterized by trade wind circulation. In the northern part of the mainland, the trade winds pass over land and carry dry tropical air. In South Africa, the trade winds come from the Indian Ocean and carry more humid air, causing heavy rains in the mountains of Madagascar and on the eastern slopes of the Drakensberg Mountains.
In subequatorial latitudes, a seasonal change of air masses is characteristic: in the summer of the corresponding hemisphere, the trade winds are replaced by equatorial monsoons. In the extreme north and south of the mainland, in subtropical latitudes, there is also a seasonal change in atmospheric circulation: in the winter of each hemisphere, the western transfer of moderate air masses dominates here (it rains), and in summer these territories are under the influence of high-pressure subtropical anticyclones (dry sunny weather) .
It's interesting that rainfall in Africa is distributed almost zonally. Their number decreases symmetrically in both directions from the equator to the tropics, where it reaches minimum values, and then increases again on the subtropical outskirts of the mainland. In equatorial latitudes, approximately between 5 ° N.S. and 5°S, precipitation is regular and plentiful. In the basin of the Congo River (Zaire) and on the coast of the Gulf of Guinea, up to 2000-3000 mm of precipitation falls annually. And on the windward slopes of the Cameroon massif - up to 9000 mm. In subequatorial latitudes, up to about 17-19 ° N.L. and y.sh. the amount of precipitation decreases from 1500 to 300-250 mm at the borders with tropical deserts. In the tropics, up to 30°N. and 30° S, extremely insufficient moisture. The vast Sahara is especially dry - 50 mm or less precipitation per year. Here evaporation is 20-25 times higher than actual evaporation. In the subtropics of Africa, the amount of precipitation increases again: up to 300-500 mm on the Libyan-Egyptian coast of the Mediterranean Sea and up to 500-800 mm on the windward slopes of the Atlas and Cape mountains.
On the territory of Africa, there are equatorial, two subequatorial, two tropical and two subtropical climatic zones.
equatorial belt - a constantly hot and humid climate is formed on the coast of the Gulf of Guinea (up to 7-8 ° N) and covers a significant part of the Congo basin (between 5 ° N and 5 ° S). Average monthly temperatures are high - +25...+28°C. There is a lot of precipitation (up to 2000 mm or more), they are evenly distributed over the months. However, there are two particularly rainy periods - spring and autumn. These precipitation maxima are associated with strong evaporation at the zenithal position of the Sun at these latitudes.
Subequatorial belts - (northern and southern) - encircle the equatorial climatic zone, merge in the east of the mainland and extend from 17 ° north latitude. up to 20° S The subequatorial monsoon climate occupies approximately 1/3 of the territory of Africa. Equatorial air dominates in summer, brought by equatorial monsoons (humid summer), dry tropical air, brought by trade winds, prevails in winter (dry winter). The annual temperature amplitudes increase in comparison with the equatorial belt. The hottest time of the year is at the beginning of the rainy season (up to +30°C). However, even in the coolest months of the year, the temperature does not fall below +18...+20°C. The duration of the wet period is reduced in the direction from the equator to the tropics from 10 to 3-2 months. Annual precipitation in the plains decreases from 1500 to 250 mm.
tropical belts (northern and southern) extend up to 30°N. and 30° S They cover almost the entire Sahara and the Kalahari Basin with its marginal uplifts. Continental tropical air is kept in these zones all year round and the trade winds dominate. The average temperatures of warm month+30...+35°С, the coldest - not lower than +10°С. Temperature amplitudes are very significant: annual - about 20°С; daily - up to 40-50°C. There is little precipitation - no more than 50-150 mm per year. They fall sporadically, in the form of rare and short-term showers. Special climatic conditions within the tropical zones are created on the western coast of Africa (the Atlantic Sahara and the Namib Desert - site). Cold currents pass here. The relative humidity of the air is high, but there is very little precipitation. But during the cold night hours, abundant dews and fogs form on the coast. Temperatures are relatively low for tropical latitudes: in summer - about +20°С, in winter - about +15°С. The east coast of South Africa has a humid tropical climate. This is facilitated by warm currents near the coast, over which the southeast trade winds are saturated with moisture and give abundant rainfall on the windward slopes of the Drakensberg Mountains.
subtropical belts (northern and southern) occupy the outskirts of the mainland in the north and south. The Atlas Mountains, the Libyan-Egyptian coast and the foothills of the Cape Mountains have a subtropical Mediterranean climate with dry, hot summers and warm, wet winters. On the African coast of the Mediterranean Sea, the average July temperatures reach +27...+28°C, January temperatures - +12°C. On the Cape coast, the temperature of the warmest month does not exceed +21°С, the coldest - +13...+14°С. In the extreme southeast of Africa, within the subtropical zone, the climate is subtropical monsoon, with hot, rainy summers and relatively cool and dry winters. In summer, humid air from the Indian Ocean enters the coast. As in the tropical belt, it rains on the eastern slopes of the Drakensberg Mountains. In winter, the Cape Mountains prevent the penetration of moist westerly winds and relatively little precipitation falls.
Africa undoubtedly bears the title of the hottest continent on the planet. This is determined by its geographical location in the tropics. Here, in the area of the Danakil Desert and the Dallol volcano in Ethiopia, there is the hottest place on earth, where the temperature record of the planet was recorded - plus 58.4 ° C. Due to low rainfall and high temperatures deserts formed in the northern and southern tropical zones.
So in the north lies the world's largest desert, the Sahara, and in the south, the endless sands of the no less famous Kalahari desert stretch. In the zone of the equatorial belt, where tropical heavy rains fall all year round and there is no change of seasons, the Central and coastal strip of the Gulf of Guinea is located.
The subequatorial belts are characterized by dry tropical trade winds in winter and a rainy season in summer. It should also be remembered that in the southern hemisphere, winter occurs in June, July and August, unlike the usual winter months in the northern hemisphere.
Average summer temperatures in Africa are never below +20°C, and the coldest weather in winter is +8°C. Most precipitation falls at the foot of Mount Cameroon, where their annual level reaches 9500 mm. The total amount of solar radiation averages 669 kJ/cm2.
Climate of North Africa
The countries of North Africa are located in the zone of tropical, subtropical and subequatorial climatic zones. Such large-scale states as Libya, Algeria, Egypt and Sudan are located here. And most of the territory is occupied by the Sahara desert. Basically, the climate here is hot and arid in the central regions and Mediterranean on the coast. Dry winds from the northeast and northwest occur in the Sahara desert, and in Sudan, the southwest monsoons bring moist air currents and cause frequent rainy weather.
In spring, sandstorms are typical, which can last from 1 to 7 days. The weather at this time of the year is not particularly volatile, and if, for example, heat sets in in March, then it persists until the end of spring. Temperature values gradually increase from +12-23°C in early spring and already in May reach +30-32°C. Precipitation is practically absent, as well as increased cloudiness.
In summer, unbearable heat and sunny heat reigns. In Egypt, for example, in July, thermometers can show +50 in the shade. The nights are cool, there are noticeable differences in daily temperatures. In the Sahara this time of year is extremely hot weather with low relative humidity, very rare precipitation and severe sand and dust storms.
The sky here is clear and cloudless almost always. On days of intense heat in the desert, one can observe a unique phenomenon of visibility distortion - mirages. Western Sahara has a milder climate, and due to the moderating effect of sea air masses from the coast, a more diverse vegetation grows here.
At the beginning of autumn, it is still very warm in the north, the water in the sea in September is warmed up to + 25 °, and the daytime temperature can reach the 40-degree mark. From mid-October, a gradual cooling to + 20 ° C begins and the rainy season begins. At this time, nature wakes up, flowers bloom and animals and birds tired of the exhausting heat come to life.
Winter weather is changeable in different parts of North Africa. IN central regions warm and dry, the mountains of Algiers experience frosts and snowfalls for several weeks, and heavy rains in the far north. On the coast, warm weather is observed with average temperatures of + 15-20 ° С.
Climate of Central Africa
Central Africa, due to its location, is influenced by an equatorial and partly subequatorial climate. Tropical air from the mainland is transformed into equatorial air, and the prevailing ascending air currents bring heavy rains. In the central parts there is no such thing as a change of seasons. Temperatures in the equatorial zone are kept at the same level throughout the year within + 23-25 ° С. Fluctuations from +16 to +23°С are noticeable only on the marginal uplifts.
Precipitation is evenly distributed, there are 2000 mm per year, and most of them fall during periods of maximum position of the Sun at its zenith. When moving away from the equator to the north and south, there is a short period of 2-3 months, when precipitation falls below the average monthly norm, and in the southern regions the dry season is more pronounced than in the north. In the uplands of South Guinea, a wetter zone is observed, where the annual rainfall is more than 3000 mm, and the driest point is considered to be the lowland south of the mouth of the Congo River - 500 mm.
Climate of South Africa
South Africa is influenced by the Mediterranean, subtropical and desert climate. Different zones are characterized by different indicators of temperature and humidity. In South Africa, the weather is mild and dry throughout the year, and the amount sunny days higher than in many other countries in the world. Snow can fall on the tops of the highest mountains, and the water temperature in the sea during the season can reach +26°, which makes the resort attractive for tourists. It is only important to come here when it is winter in the northern latitudes, because then it will be summer here.
Spring in South Africa lasts from August to September. There are temperature jumps from +20 to +25°C during the day and from +10 to 15°C at night. In the central regions, the season of winds begins at a speed of 8 m/s. The water of rivers and lakes noticeably warms up to + 15 °, and the vegetation actively comes to life. There is little rain.
Summer starts in October and lasts until March. The daily temperature ranges from +15 to +35°C, and in the mountains sharp drops are possible up to night frosts. There is a greater amount of precipitation, which affects the diversity of the flora and fauna of the region. The country of Swaziland is especially beautiful during this period, where about 3,000 species of plants grow.
From April to May, a short autumn dominates here. But in Zimbabwe, for example, there is no autumn period at all, and winter immediately follows summer. Temperatures gradually drop to +23°C during the day and +12°C at night. There is little precipitation, and at night and in the morning almost the entire territory is covered with thick fog.
The climate in southern Africa is very diverse in winter, which lasts through June, July and August. Average air temperatures are +10-20°С. Rainfall is extremely rare in the savannahs and flat areas, while frequent snowfalls and frosty weather are possible in the mountains. Interestingly, there are no animals in Africa that spend the cold season in hibernation.
Climate of East Africa
Weather conditions in East Africa are changeable. On the eastern coast, the climate is the most favorable, Mediterranean (mild and humid), and arid in the central territories. Basically, there is a subequatorial monsoon climate.
Average monthly temperatures in most of the territory do not fall below +20°С, and the highest temperatures up to +50°С are observed in summer. The hottest place in East Africa is the Afar Basin. The Ethiopian highlands are characterized by landscape zonality:
1) Colla belt (hot and humid), located up to a level of 1800 meters and having an average annual temperature of + 20 ° C and about 1500 mm of precipitation per year;
2) Waradega belt (moderately warm), located at an altitude of 1800 to 2500 meters and having seasonal temperature fluctuations from + 13 ° С in December (the coldest month) to + 16 ° С in April (the warmest month) and 2000 mm per year precipitation level;
3) Dega belt (cold), located above 2500 meters and having average monthly temperatures in summer not higher than +16°C and snowy and frosty weather in winter.
The East African Plateau is dominated by trade winds and monsoons from the equator. The weather here is predominantly hot and humid. In winter, the northeast trade winds dominate, bringing a small amount of precipitation. In summer, the southwest monsoons set a long period of rainy weather. On average, about 1000 mm of precipitation falls here per year, and more than 3000 mm is noted on the mountain ranges. The driest place where there is no rain for 7-9 months is Kenya.
African climate types
Africa's climate types are determined by its location in the zone of climatic zones. Since the equator divides the continent into two parts, the belts repeat north and south of it. In total, there are 7 climatic zones: equatorial, two tropical, two subequatorial and two subtropical.
Characteristics of the climatic zones of Africa
Equatorial climate zone
The Gulf of Guinea and the Congo Basin are located in the "eternal summer" zone, as the equatorial climate zone is also called. The weather here is warm and humid throughout the year. It is clear and warm during the day, the air temperature can rise up to +28°C, and in the afternoon, real tropical downpours with thunderstorms begin, which can be compared to a shower or a wall of water. These rains are of a short duration and bring a slight coolness, and in the evening it becomes hot and sunny again. Such weather is observed every day throughout the year and is due to warm and humid air currents from the equator. Precipitation is evenly distributed over the territory and there are about 3000 mm per year.
Subequatorial climate zone
2 subequatorial belts lie to the right and left of the equator and are characterized by a change of two seasons - dry in winter, dominated by dry tropical trade winds, and wet in summer, with a predominance of humid equatorial air currents. The amount of precipitation decreases as the belt approaches the tropics.
When rains begin in the southern subequatorial zone, dry weather reigns in the northern subequatorial zone. Six months later, the seasons change as the position of the Sun changes. Average air temperatures fluctuate within +20-25°C, the amount of precipitation is 2000 mm. Most of the central African states and the island of Madagascar are located in the zone of subequatorial belts. The largest full-flowing rivers also flow here.
Tropical climate zone
The northern and southern tropical climatic zones cover most mainland territory. Picturesque savannahs stretch here, wet rainforests, semi-deserts and deserts, including the famous Sahara, Kalahari and Namib. The Red Sea coast with world-class beach resorts attracts tourists all year round due to its tropical climate. Precipitation is low, average winter temperatures make up +15-20°С, summer ones fluctuate from +30 to 35°С and can show a maximum of +50°С.
This weather is due to the influence of humid southeasterly air trade winds from the Indian Ocean and circulating air masses with low relative humidity in the northern hemisphere. In the semi-deserts of the tropics, the heat is up to + 30 ° C in summer, and in winter the thermometer does not fall below + 10 ° C. In deserts, the air can warm up so much that the temperature of sand and stones reaches + 70 ° C, and the rainfall evaporates without even hitting the ground.
Strong winds rage here, provoking dust and sand storms, and among plants and animals there are only those that can survive in these extreme conditions. At night, due to the cooling of the sand in the deserts, it becomes very cold, the temperature can drop down to zero.
Subtropical climate zone
In the extreme south and north of Africa, there are two subtropical climatic zones. The weather here is hot in summer (+26-28°С) and relatively warm in winter (+10-12°С). Rain falls only 350-500 mm. In the northern territories of Africa, there are signs of the influence of the Mediterranean climate: mild and wet winters with high rainfall, warm and dry summers.
The famous resorts of Tunisia and Morocco are located in the subtropical climate zone and due to the long summer period and the bathing season are in an advantageous position in front of the European resorts of the Mediterranean coast.
Winter occurs in some parts of Africa, but not in all. She comes there in the summer. While we are warm, there snowing. This is due to the fact that Russia and Africa are on opposite sides of the globe. When the globe rotates on its axis, one side of it looks at the sun, and the other side is in the shade. On that part of the land, which is currently closer to the sun, spring and summer occur, and on the remote part, autumn and winter come.
There are two tropical zones on the African continent - northern and southern. Their climate is different. The warmest and most stable weather is in that part of the land that is closer to the equator. At the equator, the weather is always stable. In those parts of Russia that are close to zero latitude, snow also does not fall in winter. For example, it is not in the city of Sochi. At the equator during the year there is only a tropical air mass and there is no change of seasons. Summers are very hot, while winters are usually warm. In the tropical zone is the heat pole, that is, the hottest place on the planet. For example, near the city of Tripoli, the capital of the state of Libya, the air temperature was +58°C in the shade. It was not possible to measure the temperature in the sun, because there were not so many divisions on the thermometer. In the desert, consisting of sand, the air is very dry. During the day, the surface of the earth heats up quickly. Between day and night air temperature in one day there can be a difference of 20 degrees. Therefore, camel travelers usually travel at night and try to get from one staging post to another before sunrise.
There is another difference between the tropical climate in the southern and northern hemispheres of Africa. Trade winds blowing from the Indian Ocean blow to the southern part of the continent, and air from Eurasia blows to the northern part. The trade winds do not change the tropical climate in the northern part, but bring precipitation to the south. Therefore, rain and snow are more likely to fall in the Southern Hemisphere.
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Usually a real winter with snow and stable cold temperatures occurs only on the tops of the mountains and plateaus of Africa. At this time, animals living in cold areas begin to roam to other areas. The reason is that when the land dries up, then herbivores like zebras have nothing to feed on. According to eyewitnesses, the strings of animals stretch for tens of kilometers. After the cold has passed, they return as our migratory birds.
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