The average temperature of climatic zones in Africa. How is the winter in Africa. stage - explanation of new material

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. The highest air temperature on Earth (+58.1°C, Tripoli) was recorded in northern Africa. 12°C. 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.

The climatic conditions of Africa are 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 its 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 summers), and dry tropical air, brought by trade winds, prevails in winter (dry winters). 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 the warmest month are +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 in 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 wind is saturated with moisture and gives 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.

The African continent crosses the equator, that is, most of it is located between the tropics. Naturally, this situation greatly influenced the climate of Africa. It is also influenced by such climatic factors as the trade winds, features of the circulation of air masses, ocean currents and features of the relief of the mainland and its latitude.

General climate characteristics, briefly

When describing the general characteristics of the African climate, first of all, we must not forget that winter and summer in different hemispheres occur in different months:

• North hemisphere : winter in December, January, February;
• Southern Hemisphere : Winter in June, July, August.

Summer in Africa is very hot. The thermometer does not fall below +20 degrees. Winter also does not claim to be particularly "cold".

Even in the coolest regions of South Africa, the thermometer does not fall below +8 degrees. Thus, it is not surprising that the lowest position of the sun in this region is similar to the position of the sun in central Russia on the summer solstice.

Rice. 1 Climate of Africa. climate map

In general, according to its climatic conditions, Africa is very clearly divided into 4 regions:

• North Africa(dry and hot; tropical deserts and dry-loving Mediterranean forests);
• South Africa(dry and hot; tropical deserts);
• Central Africa(humid; equatorial and subequatorial moisture-loving forests);
• East Africa(moderately humid; savannahs and woodlands predominate).

Rice. 2 East Africa in summer (savannas and woodlands)

African climate types

There are several climatic zones in Africa. Since the equator crosses the mainland in half, they repeat to the north and south of it. So in Africa (judging by the climate map) there are 7 climatic zones (on both sides of the equator):

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• equatorial climatic zone;
• two subequatorial belts;
• two tropical belts;
• two subtropical zones.

All climatic zones differ from each other primarily in the amount and mode of precipitation. So in the equatorial and subequatorial zones, 2000-3000 mm of precipitation per year is considered the norm (the wettest place in Africa is at the foot of Mount Cameroon, up to 9500 mm of precipitation per year can fall here). But in some regions of the subtropics, the norm is 300 mm per year.

Equatorial climate zone

Humid and hot climate. The average temperature fluctuates around +23-+28, and the daily temperature amplitudes are much more significant than the annual fluctuations. There is a lot of precipitation (up to 2000 mm), they fall evenly throughout the month. It can be said. That in this belt there is always one season.

Subequatorial climate zone

In the south and north of the continent, the situation is almost the same. The average temperature keeps around +23-+25. In summer there is a large amount of precipitation, in winter less. There is a seasonal change in the movement of air masses, monsoons are frequent. It is in this belt of the African continent that the deepest and longest rivers flow.

Tropical climate zone

In the tropical part of the continent, in the north and south, the situation is somewhat different from each other. Although in both parts of the tropical belt is dry and hot weather.

There is practically no precipitation in the northern part of the continent. In summer, the temperature can stay at around +40 degrees (the absolute maximum was recorded in the Libyan desert - +58 degrees), in winter - +18 degrees.

Rice. 3 Libyan desert

In the southern parts it is colder and there is more rainfall. In the west (Namib Desert) precipitation is practically absent. In summer and winter, the temperature is almost the same (average annual - from +20 to +15 degrees). In the east (Dragon Mountains) the humidity is the highest. This is facilitated by the movement of air masses from the equator and their collision with warm air coming from the ocean.

It was in the tropical zone of both hemispheres that desert spaces were concentrated. Due to the absence of clouds, the daily temperature fluctuation in the desert is very high. During the day, the sun can heat sand and stones to a temperature of +70, and at night the whole space cools down and, in some cases, the thermometer can drop below zero. In the deserts, African simum winds often blow, and at night you can hear the crackling of stones.

Subtropical climate zone

If we compare the southeastern and southwestern coasts of Africa, then in the same season, with the same climatic zone, there is a sharp change in climate. The southwest (subtropical Mediterranean climate) has dry and hot summers, while winters are also warm but humid. On the southeast coast, summers are hot and humid (due to warm air masses from the Indian Ocean). And the winter is cold and dry (the Cape Mountains prevent the penetration of precipitation).

Table"Characteristics of the climatic zones of Africa"(data from this table can be used in geography lessons grade 7).

The impact of climate on the diversity of Africa's natural and plant life is obvious. The climate also influenced the pattern of the river network and the regime of rivers. So, where the humidity is higher, the rivers are longer and more full-flowing. They feed mainly on rainfall. The inland waters of Africa also have a certain influence on the formation of the African climate.

Despite the fact that the African continent has the largest waterless desert in the world, it also has the second most full-flowing river in the world - the Congo and the second longest river in the world - the Nile (in terms of full-flowing and length, the Nile and the Congo "bypassed" only South American Amazon).

Rice. 4 River Nile, Africa

What have we learned?

The climate in Africa is mostly hot, but humidity, like pressure, is also different in different climatic zones. The climate of the mainland is influenced by various climatic factors. Not the last role is played by the oceans, relief and inland waters.

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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 ranges 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, at night there is often a negative temperature. 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. The formation of the region's climate is greatly influenced by the 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 more arid, there is 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. With increasing altitude, 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 time 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 maximum precipitation 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!

North Africa occupies a narrow strip in the north of the mainland. Most of the region is the Sahara desert, which is the hottest place on the planet.

Weather in North Africa now:

A few plants grow in North Africa. A wide variety of palm trees make up a significant proportion of the flora. You can also find oaks, olive trees, laurels and eucalyptus trees. The most common animal in North Africa is the camel. On the territory of this part of the mainland, a subtropical, sometimes tropical climate dominates. The maximum recorded temperature in the shade is 58 degrees Celsius. In the winter season, there are frosts at night.

Climate of North Africa by months:

Spring

Spring in North Africa is the time of sandstorms, which are carried from the Sahara by the Hasmin wind. Such sandstorms can last for one day or a week. Most often in such North African countries as Egypt, Libya, Mauritania and others, the weather in the spring is distinguished by an enviable constancy. If the heat came at the beginning of spring, then it will not change until May. The same applies to windy and cool weather. The final temperature is set in early May. At this time, the thermometers can reach the thirty-degree mark. From the beginning to the end of May, the weather gradually warms up until it turns into a real summer heat.

Summer

Summer in North Africa is very hot and sultry. So, in Egypt in the middle of the summer season, the thermometers in the shade can reach fifty degrees Celsius. It is always much colder at night than during the day. Daily temperature fluctuations are very large. Milder weather conditions in Western Sahara. Here the temperature reaches 30 degrees inside the region and 20 degrees - on the coast. Due to milder climatic conditions, more plants grow here - a variety of fruit trees, vegetables and cereals.

High temperatures in the summer season are observed in Libya, it was on the territory of this state that the highest temperature on the planet in the shade was recorded - 58 degrees. This time of year accounts for most of the holidays in North Africa. For example, in Egypt, June 18 is the Day of Liberation from British Raj, and July 23 is the Day of the Revolution of 1952. In Libya, June 11 is the Day of the Evacuation of American Bases, July 23 is the Anniversary of the Egyptian Revolution.

Autumn

The autumn season in North Africa marks the end of the summer heat. In September, the thermometers stay at around 35-40 degrees. The sea water is warm, its temperature is about 25 degrees. By October, the temperature gradually begins to drop. Thus, in the middle of autumn in different countries of North Africa, the thermometers are at around twenty to thirty degrees Celsius.

At the same time, the rainy season begins, and, accordingly, vegetation blooms. Animals that have suffered from extreme heat in the summer begin vigorous activity. In different parts of North Africa, you can meet different representatives of the fauna. Pygmy hippos, small predators, rodents and various monkeys live in small savannahs. In the deserts you can find numerous lizards, snakes, as well as invertebrates.

Winter

In winter, the weather in North Africa is very different. In different geographical areas, weather conditions can vary greatly. So, in the mountains of Algeria in winter there are frosts, snow falls for several weeks. It is warmer on the coast, the temperature reaches 12-15 degrees. In Egypt, winter is not cold at all. The temperature reaches 25 degrees, there is very little rainfall. In most of North Africa, winter is the driest season. Only in the northernmost regions does a relatively large amount of precipitation fall - up to 200 mm.