The climate is affected most by the movement of the inter-tropical convergence zone, which is the meeting place of the sub-tropical high pressure areas of the northern and southern hemispheres. Zambia, along with several of its African neighbors, ranks among the countries most exposed to climate-driven disruption. The deciduous trees usually produce fresh green or reddish leaves just before the rainy season. Weather Today Weather Hourly 14 Day Forecast Yesterday/Past Weather Climate (Averages) Currently: N/A. Dambos also release groundwater to streams and rivers towards the end of the dry season, keeping them flowing permanently. The marked seasonal pattern of precipitation is caused by the north and south movement of the intertropical convergence zone … Get the forecast for today, tonight & tomorrow's weather for Lusaka, Lusaka, Zambia. South of Lusaka rainfall is dictated more by the east and Southeast trade winds, which have lost much of their humidity by the time they have reached so far inland. Averages are for Lusaka International Airport, which is 13 miles from Lusaka. The elevation of the great plateau on which Zambia is located, typically between 1,000 and 1,300 metres (3,281 and 4,265 ft), modifies temperatures, which are lower than for coastal areas at the same latitude, and pleasant for much of the year. Zambia's $3 billion in outstanding Eurobonds is not its only debt. In Zambia, 2.4 million people face a hunger crisis due to lack of rain to grow crops, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. The countryside dries up gradually and grass fires, fanned by high winds are a feature of this time of the year. Country: Zambia, City: Lusaka. Rainfall in this area is between 500 and 75omm / 20 and 30 inches. [citation needed]. It is dry for 200 days a year with … [citation needed], The ability to grow enough food in the rainy season to last the long dry season is also a factor in population distribution. The average annual temperature in … Maxima vary from 15oC to 27oC in the cool season with morning and evening temperatures as low as 6oC to 10oC and occasional frost on calm nights in valleys and hollows which are sheltered from the wind. In the Köppen climate classification, most of the country is classified as humid subtropical or tropical wet and dry, with small patches of semi-arid steppe climate in the south-west. The climate of Zambia in Central and Southern Africa is definitely tropical modified by altitude (elevation). Small earth dams are often constructed in dambos as a source of water and as fishponds. Sugar cane is grown both by villagers and commercially. Crops are frequently damaged by flooding and hail. Over the sea, this zone approximates to the equator, and when the sun is overhead at the equator, heavy rains may fall in the equatorial regions of Africa. During the cool dry season, night frosts may occur in places sheltered from the wind. Zambia, unlike most of its neighbours, has managed to avoid the war and upheaval that has marked much of Africa's post-colonial history, earning itself a reputation for political stability. So find on this website the historical weather averages in other cities in Zambia and climate and forecast data for all other countries in the world. Debt to China's Exim Bank amounted to $2.6 billion at the end of 2019, making up the lion's share of the $3 billion Lusaka owed to China and Chinese entities. Here are some average weather facts we collected from our historical climate data: During the month of February, March, April, May, June, July and August you are most likely to experience good weather with pleasant average temperatures that fall between 20 degrees Celsius (68°F) and 25 degrees Celsius (77°F). Prevailing winds in the dry season are generally moderate but occasionally more severe and may bring cool dust-laden air from distant arid regions. Temperatures rise high during the hot, dry season but new leaves appear on the trees before the start of the rains and new grass brightens the countryside. There are three seasons: the cool, dry winter season from May to September; the hot, dry season in October and November; and the rainy season, which is even hotter, from December to April. Although Zambia lies in the tropics, the height of the plateau ensures that the climate is seldom unpleasantly hot, except in the valleys. The highest rainfall is in the north, especially the north-west and the north-east, decreasing towards the south; the driest areas are in the far south west and the Luangwa River and middle Zambezi River valleys, parts of which are considered semi-arid. warning in november the weather is different depending on the city and regions of the country. There are two main seasons, the rainy season (November to April) corresponding to summer, and the dry season (May to October/November), corresponding to winter. The Köppen-Geiger climate classification is Cwa. At the height of the wet season it rains on seven or eight days out of ten. Lusaka Times has been in operation for over 10 years The table below shows annual rainfall and representative maximum and minimum temperatures during the hottest and coldest months of the year respectively. [citation needed]. 10, 20 and 30 days long-term weather and climate forecast. Current weather and long-term 45 days forecast ☃ Weather phenomena recorded in previous years in Zambia ☀ Detailed weather forecast for the next 10 days ☔ Long term weather forecast for Zambia for 30 days There are three seasons – cool and dry from May to August, hot and dry from September to November, and warm and wet from December to April. In addition, dambos (grasslands which become marshy in the rainy season) are prevalent in most of the country and water is usually available in them from springs or shallow wells. In the north of the country rainfall is 1250mm/ (50 inches) or more a year, decreasing southwards to Lusaka where it is about 750mm/ 30 inches annually. Traditionally some communities have divided the year into farming in the rainy season, and fishing and hunting in the dry season, when herbivores can be found more easily as they visit sources of water, and fires can be set to expose them or drive them into traps. There is a lot of rainfall in the summer, and in the winter it is quite dry again. January : the peak of the wet season; it’s the wettest month of the year. Lusaka's climate is classified as warm and temperate. More than 50 million people in 18 African nations face a hunger crisis due to extreme drought and other climate-related disasters, an international aid group says. Climate in Zambia in december Climate in Lusaka in december. Traditionally, people have also migrated in the drier areas where rivers dambos are not prevalent. Flooding is an annual event on floodplains, to which people and wildlife are adapted. Tea and coffee are also grown successfully in fact the coffee produced is of a very high quality. The average temperature in Zambia in the summer is 30 °C and in the winter (colder season) it can get as low as 5 °C. The modifying influence of altitude gives the country pleasant subtropical weather rather than tropical conditions for most of the year. The distinction between rainy and dry seasons is marked, with no rain at all falling in June, July and August. The best time of year to visit Lusaka in Zambia. Be prepared for the day. It moves southwards in the second half of the year, and northwards in the first half of the year. The event took place at Fringilla Lodge, in the city … February : the rainfall is still comparatively high. Dry season – May to October – Winter Temperatures in parts … Too much rain when the maize crop is flowering, or late in the season when it should be drying off prior to harvest, can be very damaging and promotes rotting of stored grain. The zone moves southward with the apparent movement of the sun in the southern summer and brings rain to the greater part of Zambia. The general height of the land gives Zambia a more pleasant climate than that experienced in most tropical countries. The fires are ignited by villagers hunting, burning crop residue, and preparing chitemene gardens; or by lightning in the early rainy season. Camerapix: "Spectrum Guide to Zambia." [citation needed], Learn how and when to remove this template message, "Zambia Seasons | Weather in Zambia - VentureCo Worldwide", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Climate_of_Zambia&oldid=960180593, Articles needing additional references from January 2008, All articles needing additional references, Articles with unsourced statements from May 2020, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Whirlwinds are very common but not usually destructive; waterspouts can be seen over lakes. [citation needed], Most rivers, lakes and swamps, except in the far south and south-west, are permanent. Hi/Low, RealFeel®, precip, radar, & everything you need to be ready for the day, commute, and weekend! Remember: The climate in Zambia in november ranges from good to tolerable depending on the region and city. Although Zambia lies within the tropics, its climate is modified by the altitude of the country and is generally favourable to human settlement and comfort. In the cool season the prevailing wind, dry south easterlies come from the southern hemisphere belt of high pressure. Today’s and tonight’s Choma, Southern, Zambia weather forecast, weather conditions and Doppler radar from The Weather Channel and Weather.com Overcast. They may kill animals, and damage crops if the rains end early and fires happen before harvest. Climate Zambia. It can be seen that annual temperature variation is greatest at Livingstone, the most southerly town, and the smallest at Mbala, the town nearest the equator. Rainfall intensity results in heavy storms thereby causing floods that cause damage to property and crops. Zambia is considered to be vulnerable to climate change which might lead to more variability in rainfall amounts and length of the rainy season. We collected past weather data from many thousand weather stations around the world. Temperature in Zambia averaged 21.30 celsius from 1850 until 2015, reaching an all time high of 26.28 celsius in October of 2005 and a record low of 15.52 celsius in July of 1907. This page was last edited on 1 June 2020, at 15:04. Based on weather reports collected during 1985–2015. The government of Zambia, through the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, the Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) and Zambia Climate Change Network (ZCCN) held a validation workshop on 30 th September 2020, to validate the National Climate Change Learning Strategy (NCCLS) developed in partnership with UN CC:Learn. Access hourly, 10 day and 15 day forecasts along with up to the minute reports and videos from AccuWeather.com Flash floods after unusually heavy rain cause damage when they occur in places that do not experience annual floods. In the warm wet season, frequent heavy showers and thunderstorms occur, followed by spells of bright sunshine. Check the current conditions for Lusaka, Lusaka, Zambia for the day ahead, with radar, hourly, and up to the minute forecasts. This amazing se, Experience one of the most exhilarating adventures, An amazing moment caught by @lioncampzambia. Erosion and the washing out of roads and bridges are common. Get the forecast for today, tonight & tomorrow's weather for Kitwe, Copperbelt, Zambia. Zambia's Leading and Trusted Online News Website with Regular Updates with news as it breaks. Invasions of cold air from the south-east bring cloudy to overcast conditions. In the rainy season, winds are localised with thunderstorms and may be destructive but usually confined to small areas, such as blowing roofs off buildings. This is restricted to the highest exposed hills, or more widely in the lower humidity areas of the southernmost parts of the country. In the Köppen climate classification, most of the country is classified as humid subtropical or tropical wet and dry, with small patches of semi-arid steppe climate in the south-west. Because such fires happen annually, there is no great buildup of dry fuel in the bush, and so the fires are not usually devastating. So remember to pack rain clothes. January, the same as December, is a moderately hot summer month in Lusaka, Zambia, with average temperature varying between 17.6°C (63.7°F) and 27.4°C (81.3°F).In Lusaka, the average high-temperature is almost the same as in December - a still warm 27.4°C (81.3°F). (Weather station: Kafironda, Zambia). Lichis are also a high potential export crop. CLIMATE The general height of the land gives Zambia a more pleasant climate than that experienced in most tropical countries. Much of the economic, cultural and social life of the country is dominated by the onset and end of the rainy season, and the amount of rain it brings. On the plateau (covering about 80% of the country) temperature ranges, depending on location are: Most of the country is frost-free but in some years ground frost occurs. All kinds of vegetables can be grown, together with citrus fruit, bananas, pineapples, mangoes, avocados and even grapes. In Zambia, the climate is tropical or sub-tropical depending on altitude, with a hot, humid, and rainy season from mid-November to March and a dry season from April to mid-November. Be prepared with the most accurate 10-day forecast for Lusaka, Lusaka, Zambia with highs, lows, chance of precipitation from The Weather Channel and Weather.com [citation needed]. In exceptional years the influence of the inter tropical zone is felt much farther to the south, resulting in excessive rain in the Southern Province and partial drought in the north. With 11.5in over 25 days, rain is to be feared for your holidays. None of the country is considered arid or to be desert. While the rainfall pattern over the whole country is similar – between November and March, the amount of rain varies considerably. Average Weather in Gwembe Zambia. By continuing to use our site you agree to us using cookies in accordance with our Cookie Policy. Weather in January » This website uses cookies, Some of the cookies we use are essential for the site to work. Overcast. Zimbabwe climate – Weather follows a similar pattern to Zambia, but perhaps with a slightly shorter rainy season. Plants grow profusely and rivers and streams fill up almost overnight. Climate information with charts. Except for very rare falls in August, rainfall is confined to the wet season, which sometimes starts as early as October and finishes as early as March. (Weather station: Mkushi, Zambia). In depressions, frost can occur on cloudless nights. Grasses and some other herbaceous plants dry up above ground but regenerate quickly with the onset of rains from roots and tubers, etc. So technically Zambia is a very arid country with a humid and subtropical year with small patches of semi arid steppe. The dry season is subdivided into the cool dry season (May to August), and the hot dry season (September to October/November). Weather Today Weather Hourly 14 Day Forecast Yesterday/Past Weather Climate (Averages) Currently: N/A. Zambia ☔ 7 days detailed forecast. The country does not suffer tornadoes or cyclones of widespread destructive force. Climate and specifically rainfall amount is the chief determinant of type and distribution of the ecoregions of Zambia. The rains are brought by the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) and are characterised by thunderstorms, occasionally severe, with much lightning and sometimes hail. The ITCZ is located north of Zambia in the dry season. [citation needed], For the human population, the location of rural settlements is determined by access to water in the dry season (though boreholes are now commonly used to augment supplies). [citation needed], Deciduous trees which lose leaves in the dry season to conserve water predominate over evergreens which have waxy leaf cuticles for the same purpose. In Gwembe, the wet season is muggy and mostly cloudy, the dry season is mostly clear, and it is warm year round. Annual Weather Averages Near Lusaka. Zambia has the moderate climate prevailing. During the hot season maximum temperatures may range from 27oC to 35oC. Zambia is wrestling with a devastating drought caused, according to experts, by a dramatic shift in weather patterns. The climate of the capital, Lusaka, is the same as that of the higher areas of central and southern Zambia, including Kafue NP. 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