Climate in South Africa
Situated between the 22nd and 34th degrees of southern latitude, South Africa falls into the subtropical zone. However, relative to other countries at the same latitude, temperatures in South Africa may vary considerably, due to the geography of the country.
South Africa is a large country, with a diverse geography. The West Coast is washed by the cold Benguela current, which causes cooler weather there, while the East Coast is lapped by the warm Indian Ocean, and is warm and humid. In general, though, the coastal regions tend to have a more stable temperature than inland, due to the influence of the ocean. A large part of South Africa’s interior is occupied by a raised plateau, and the increased altitude causes low temperatures in winter. Winter in South Africa starts around March and lasts until September (remember that South Africa is in the southern hemisphere, and the seasons are the reverse of those in the northern hemisphere).
During winter, the chance of rain depends on where in the country you are. In the south west, rainy weather tends to last for days at a time, while in the northern parts of the country, rainfall is sporadic, and comes in the form of brief thundershowers lasting only a few hours. These showers also occur during the summer months. However, during summer, the temperature easily reaches 30 degrees Celsius anywhere in the country.
You should not expect to be very cold, even in winter. The temperature in South Africa rarely goes below zero, and snow is largely unheard of. Occasional frost sometimes causes problems for farmers, but even then the temperature does not sink to a dangerous level.
If you are planning to tour South Africa, the best time to do so is in spring or in autumn. The Christmas period is usually the hottest part of the year, and it is also the time when many South Africans take their vacation, so venues may be jam-packed. Given the climate, the nicest time to visit South Africa would be just after the Christmas break, say February or March, or just before, in November.
Clothing-wise, you won’t ever need serious coldproof garments, because, as stated before, it never gets that cold in South Africa. However, if you are visiting in winter, you should include some raingear, and some warmer things, such as a good anorak or a jersey.
Below are a few fascinating facts about South Africa’s climate. Keep in mind that these averages are for the entire country, and may vary significantly from place to place.
- Average temperature: 16.6 ∞C (62 ∞F).
- Highest monthly average high temperature: 26 C (79 F) in January and February.
- Lowest monthly average low temperature: 7 C (45 F) in July.
- Average rainfall per annum: 629 mm (24.8 in)
- Average rainfall per month: 52 mm (2.1 in) per month.
- Average annual humidity: 77.7%
- Average daily sunlight hours: 5.7 hours in July to 11.1 hours in December.
- February is the driest month.
- June is the wettest month.
Generally speaking, you may find that the fine, mild climate in South Africa is to your advantage, and allows for a wide range of outdoor activities and leisure.
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