The average temperature of climatic zones in Africa. Seasons, weather and climate of North Africa. Climate of North Africa

Interestingly, precipitation in Africa is distributed almost. Their number decreases symmetrically in both directions from 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 Congo (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 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. Particular dryness is characterized by extensive - 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 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.

The 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 (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, merge in the east of the mainland and extend from 17 ° N.L. up to 20°S The monsoon climate occupies about 1/3 of Africa. In summer, equatorial air dominates, 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°С. The duration of the wet period is reduced in the direction from the equator to the tropics from 10 to 3-2 months. Annual rainfall decreases from 1500 to 250 mm.

(northern and southern) extend up to 30°N. and 30° S They cover almost the entire Sahara and the basin with its marginal uplifts. In these belts all year round the continental tropical air is maintained and the trade winds dominate. The average temperatures of the warmest month are +30…+35°C, the coldest - not lower than +10°C. 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 belts are created on the western coast of Africa (the Atlantic Sahara and the Namib). Cold currents pass here. the air is high, but there is very little precipitation. But in the cold night hours, abundant dews and are formed on the coast. Temperatures are relatively low for tropical latitudes: in summer - about + 20 ° С, in winter - about + 15 ° С.

Humid is forming on the east coast of South Africa. 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 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 mediterranean sea 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 belt, the climate is subtropical monsoon, with hot, rainy summers and relatively cool and dry winters. In summer, the coast receives wet air With indian ocean. As in the tropical belt, it rains on the eastern slopes of the Drakensberg Mountains. In winter, the Cape Mountains prevent the penetration of humid western ones and relatively little precipitation falls.

The climate of Africa can be described as a unique phenomenon due to its location.

Africa is the only continent in the world that lies on two sides of the equator.

Interestingly, the equator is not only Earth divides into two hemispheres, it also divides the African continent almost equally.

The climate is very big influence on the nature of the area, because it determines the weather patterns, as well as shifts weather conditions.

The soil of the area, flora and fauna, various sectors of the economy, as well as

The formation of certain climatic conditions in Africa is influenced by a variety of factors that subsequently determine the life and livelihoods of people who live in a particular type of climate.

Africa is tracked to be the hottest continent, due to its location in the hottest climatic zones.

Interestingly, three of the four climatic zones on the continent are repeated twice.

Due to the fact that Africa is crossed by the equator, around which the equatorial climatic zone has formed, the remaining climatic zones mirror each other.

Subequatorial, tropical, subtropical and temperate belt found twice on the continent.

Equatorial climate zone of Africa

The equatorial belt occupies an area along the Gulf of Guinea and runs all the way to the depression in the Congo and.

whole year equatorial warm air mass prevails here, which determines the weather conditions.

In this part of Africa, there are no seasons with temperature fluctuations and changes in weather conditions, it is constantly very hot here and it often rains. Precipitation falls evenly throughout the year.

365 days a year the temperature is high here - from 24 °C to 28 °C.

The equatorial climate is characterized by abundant rainfall. During the year, in different parts of the equatorial part of the continent, from 1500 to 2500 mm of precipitation falls.

Because of this, very high humidity and heat are formed, which are difficult to endure, relief comes from the coolness of the night.

In the African equatorial part, one can observe constant cloudiness and frequent fogs.

Almost every day before lunch, clouds gather, which in the afternoon, in the late afternoon, materialize in rain or a thunderstorm.

They present a splendid abundance of plant and animal life which has not been fully explored.

On two sides of the equator, as well as from the east of the equatorial belt, subequatorial climatic zones stretch out.

This climate zone also very hot, with temperatures ranging from 26 to 30 °C in summer and 15 to 17 °C in winter throughout the year.

Subequatorial climatic zone of Africa

In the subequatorial climatic zone, rainy and dry seasons are clearly visible.

The duration of rains, as well as the numerical indicators of precipitation, decrease as the belt moves away from the equator.

This most directly affects the flora of the area.

In places where there is not enough rainfall, tree vegetation practically does not grow, lush forests are replaced by light forests, which smoothly turn into shrouds.

It is very interesting to note the alternation of the rainy season in the subequatorial climatic zones and the predominance of the dry season.

At a time when in one of the subequatorial zones of Africa there is a rainy season, which brings the equatorial air mass, in the other subequatorial zone at this time the air mass from the tropics dominates, which entails the onset of the dry season.

Tropical climate zone of Africa

A characteristic feature of this climate is dry hot weather and a minimum amount of precipitation, which decreases with distance from the center of the continent and further into its interior.

Africa, for the most part, is located in a tropical climate, so there are a lot of deserts here, the formation of which is facilitated by dry air, a remote location from the ocean, as well as increased pressure due to tropical air masses.

These are ideal conditions for the development of numerous deserts and savannahs.

The Sahara is the largest desert on the planet, which is located in tropical Africa. Not a single drop of precipitation may fall here for years, and it is extremely difficult for a person to stay here.

The air is filled with fine dust and very often blow strong winds that create sand dust storms.

Wind and dust form fanciful out of the sand.

The tropical zone, in addition to aridity, has a very sharp daily temperature difference.

During the day, the thermometer rises above 40 ° C, heating the sand and air, and at night the temperature drops sharply by a couple of tens of degrees and can drop down to negative values.

The maximum air temperature around the world was recorded in the Libyan desert of the African tropical zone and reached 58 ° C.

The northern coast, as well as the extreme south of the mainland, occupies the subtropical zone, which is characterized by a change in air masses and the division of the year into seasons.

The average temperature in a year is about 20 °C. It varies significantly depending on the summer and winter seasons.

Subtropical African climate

The subtropical belt of Africa in the northern and southwestern parts of the continent is characterized by a Mediterranean climate with hot summers and moderate rainfall in winter.

The southeast is dominated by a subtropical humid climate.

It contributes to the fact that throughout the year, precipitation is distributed fairly evenly.

Lesson type: lesson of new knowledge.

The purpose of the lesson: study of the climate of Africa and the factors that shape the climate of the mainland using the technology of problem-based learning.

Tasks:
Educational: to characterize the climate of Africa, to prove that Africa is the hottest continent, to find out the influence of climate-forming factors on the climate of the continent.
Educational: develop the skills of working in dynamic groups and micro-teams, the skills of self-assessment and mutual verification.
Developing: develop the ability to work with a map, read a map, solve problematic problems.

Express lesson plan "Climate of Africa"

During the classes:

Statement of the educational task of the lesson.
1 Stage of knowledge testing
Updating knowledge - a geographical dictionary (pupils answer, orally explaining each term)

• Climate
• trade winds
• Isotherms
• Days of the equinoxes
• Solstices

Records of Africa (repetition of the material of previous lessons):

• Nile is the most long river world 6671 km
• hottest continent
• The only continent that is located in all four hemispheres
• The highest temperature on earth +58°С
• The largest tropical desert, the Sahara, with an area of ​​more than 7 million square kilometers
• The largest land animal is the African elephant

Stage 2 - explanation of new material

Now name Africa's climate-related record: "Africa is the hottest continent." Let's prove this statement.
"Africa is the hottest continent":

1. The highest temperature on Earth is +58°С
2. Most of Africa is located between the equator and the tropics, i.e. in the hot thermal zone of the Earth. (Why is it hot here? The sun is at its zenith, i.e. the sun's rays fall in a straight line)
3. In most of Africa, the average annual temperature is not lower than + 20 ° С
4. The average monthly temperature is not lower than +8°С

What is the climate of Africa like? To do this, we use a thematic map - climate. Let's open page 171 of the textbook. How to work with a climate map? Let's pay attention to the symbols. What can be determined?
The climate of Africa: students work, make notes in a notebook
1. Absolute maximum t? (near Tripoli + 58 ° С)
2. Absolute minimum t ? (near Maung -4 ° С)
3. Most precipitation falls? (on the coast of the Gulf of Guinea more than 2000 mm per year)
4. The least precipitation falls? (in the northern and southern parts of the mainland in the Sahara and Namib deserts less than 100 mm per year)
5. For North Africa, the average t? (January + 22 ° С, July + 24 ° С)
6. For South Africa, the average t? (January + 16 ° С, July + 8 ° С)

Question: Why are January temperatures lower than July in northern Africa, while January is much warmer than July in southern Africa?

Suggested answer: B southern hemisphere due to the position of the earth, the seasons are reversed and winter months northern hemisphere - December, January and February in the southern hemisphere are summer months. Therefore, January in southern Africa is warmer, it is a summer month.
Let us determine what factors determine such a climate in Africa. To do this, we will compile a table: (the main task is to use the competencies of students, you can refer to page 39 of the textbook Fig. 2)
climate-forming factors

Stage 3 - consolidation of new material

Questions:
1. The mulberry tree shown in the figure grew on the plain of the Somali peninsula. Find the peninsula on the map and try to explain the reason why the crown of the tree stretched out so much in the horizontal direction. Attachment 1 .
2. Are there such shadows in your area as shown in the picture? Why? Where in Africa can you see such shadows? Appendix 2
3. The assertion is known that the closer to the ocean, the more humid the climate. How do you then explain the presence of the Namib coastal desert in Africa (show it on the map). Describe its climate. Appendix 3
4. In the Namib Desert there is a dwarf tree - velvichia. Determine why this plant has huge hard leaves, and everyone knows that desert plants have small leaves or are modified into thorns. Appendix 4
5. "Kilimangara - shining mountain" translated from the language of the African people of Swahili. Explain why such a name was given, if it is known that the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro are composed of rocks that do not give an intense shine. What sparkles at the top of the volcano? Annex 5.
6. On what slope (east or west) of the Dragon Mountains and why does it rain a lot? Appendix 6
Next, self-control is carried out on the topic of the lesson: (each student receives a card)

Self-control (put in columns + or -)

Work with these questions at home
Summary of work

Control Last name, first name _____________________________________________
Option 2

A mutual check is carried out (the answers are written on the board behind the map), marks are given for the lesson.
given homework§ 46-47 and questions of self-control
Let's sum up the lesson.
Can be used in class Routing for a student Appendix 7

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. The northern - larger part of the mainland - extends to the 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. The maximum amount of 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 a 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

Africa's equatorial climate 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:

1. 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.
2. Hot and humid air of the equatorial latitudes dominates in summer, dry tropical air mass comes in winter, it becomes a little cooler.
3. 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).
4. The duration of the humid period and the average annual precipitation decrease towards the margins of the subequatorial belt.
5. 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.
6. 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, stretching 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 °С.

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 are impenetrable rainforests 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.

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. 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 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.
In the East African Plateau, the weather is hot, with little rainfall in winter period. 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 does not fall 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!