Class notes
SOUTH AFRICAN CLIMATE IEB GEOGRAPHY
- Course
- Geography
- Institution
- 12th Grade
An in depth summary of the South African climate aligned with the IEB Geography climate section
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RSA’S CLIMATE AND WEATHERMAJOR FACTORS INFLUENCING RSA’S CLIMATE
1. Latitude
• RSA lies mostly outside of tropics
• The tropic of Capricorn runs through northern part of
Limpopo and the southern tip of Africa is situated at 34.5°S
2. Altitude
• Most of RSA is covered by a plateau at an average height of
1800m. This influences temp as adiabatic cooling takes place
• The steep escarpment [edge of plateau] prevents moisture
entering the interior
3. Ocean currents
• Current have a moderating influence on the climate as the
warm Agulhas current warms the east coast and brings moist
air and rainfall
• Cold Benguela current cools down the west coast and brings
drier conditions
4. Distance from ocean
• Land and sea breezes moderate temps along the coast
• These areas have smaller seasonal and diurnal temp ranges in
comparison to the interior, where extremes are experienced
, LOCATION AND CHARACTERISTICS OF THE HP CELLS AROUND
SOUTH AFRICA
• Sinks, diverge and shifts with the ITCZ
THE SOUTH ATLANTIC HP CELL [SAHP] OR ANTICYCLONE [SAIC]
• Situated off Namibian coast
• Air descends [stable] = inversion
• SW winds [anti-cyclonic circulation]
• Little moisture [air moves from cold to warm latitudes]
• Produce dry conditions along SW coast [Namib desert]
THE SOUTH INDIAN HP CELL [SIHP] OR ANTICYCLONE [SIAC]
• East coats of KZN
• Fluctuates more than SAA. Moves further from coast in summer
and closer during winter
• NE winds brings warm, moist air to SE coast
• Any instability = rain
THE KALAHARI HP CELL/ANTICYCLONE
• Over plateau [interior]
• Remains stable throughout the year
• Weakens and moves south in summer
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