Typical Weather and Tourism in Zimbabwe

Because Zimbabwe lays in the Southern Hemisphere, it's seasons are opposite of those countries in the Northern Hemisphere. For example, Zimbabwe experiences it's hottest weather from September to January and it's coldest weather from April to July. In contrast, The United States experiences it's hottest weather from June through September and it's coldest weather from December to February. This is important to know if one ever plans on visiting Zimbabwe, and can help decide on the appropriate clothing to bring and typical weather to expect. Knowing about Zimbabwe's rainy season (from November to March) is important as well because most activities take place outdoors, and heavy rain can ruin a day full of plans.

In 2014, the day of the winter solstice in the Southern Hemisphere is  June 21st. During June, the average maximum temperature in Zimbabwe is 71.4 degrees fahrenheit and the average minimum temperature is 45.6 degrees. During this month, rain is the type of precipitation most likely to occur, due to the average minimum temperature being well above freezing. Because Zimbabwe exhibits monsoon-like rain patterns, June would be a dry month and a great time to visit.

In 2014, the day of the summer solstice in the Southern Hemisphere is December 21st. During December, the average maximum temperature in Zimbabwe is 81.2 degrees fahrenheit and the average minimum temperature is 62.6 degrees. Excluding extreme circumstances, the only type of precipitation in Zimbabwe during December is rain. December is in the middle of Zimbabwe's rainy season, in which the country receives most of it's rainfall.

In 2014, the day of the spring equinox in the Southern Hemisphere is September 23rd. During September, the average maximum temperature in Zimbabwe is 81.6 degrees fahrenheit and the average minimum temperature is 54.5 degrees. Average minimum temperatures are well above freezing so rain is the type of precipitation most likely to occur. September is on the borderline of the rainy season, so rain should be expected when traveling to Zimbabwe during this time.

In 2014, the day of the autumn equinox in the Southern Hemisphere is March 20th. During March, the average maximum temperature in Zimbabwe is 80.4 degrees fahrenheit and the minimum average temperature is 60.7 degrees. According to these temperatures, rain the the most common type of precipitation during March. Zimbabwe's latitude puts in the tropics, and due to the constant warmer temperatures closer to the equator, any type of precipitation besides rain is very uncommon.

According the the weather data gathered above, the best season to visit Zimbabwe would be during the winter months, from June to August. Because Zimbabwe does have a rainy season, one wants to avoid this time entirely and visit when the weather is reliably sunny, so there are many activities one can partake in. Popular activities in Zimbabwe are sightseeing and freshwater fishing. There are many national parks with tour guides year-around, and many of the animals and plants are unique to those regions in Africa. Popular national parks are Victoria Falls National Park, located on the western tip of Zimbabwe, and Hwange National Park, about an hour south of Victoria Falls. These National Parks provide beautiful landscapes, breathtaking natural phenomenon, and a safe place for large wild animals  to inhabit. Lake Kariba lays on the northern border of Zimbabwe, and is the site of great freshwater fishing and fishing tours. Of course, fishing and sightseeing usually requires dry weather, so avoiding Zimbabwe's rainy season would be best.

There is very little potential weather hazards during winter season in Zimbabwe, as most of the extreme weather occurs during the exact opposite time of the year. Despite this, one can never fully predict weather, and should still be prepared for potential weather hazards. Zimbabwe is landlocked, so rain in large quantities are usually the cause of weather hazards. Flooding of rivers are the most common weather hazards, as well as sinkholes dues to extended periods of heavy rain. Because all of these weather hazards are caused by constant heavy rain, there is very little chance of weather hazards being a factor during a visit in the winter time. If one is looking to entirely avoid rain and a humid, hotter environment, Zimbabwe provides a perfect time of year to visit and have fun.

Devil's Pool in Victoria Falls National Park, Zimbabwe 

(http://www.justmegawatt.com/images/imageassets/odd/devilspool/victoriafalls.jpg)

If excitement and adventure is stuck on your mind, visit Zimbabwe and have an unforgettable time.

Temperature Controls in the city of Harare in Zimbabwe

When most people are asked to envision the climate in Africa, they think of unbearably hot and muggy weather year around. This is not the case in the capital city of Harare, located in Zimbabwe. Though Harare's location lies in a humid subtropical climate zone, Harare also sits at an elevation of 1480 meters. Harare's climate is greatly attributed to its altitude, which moderates its climate and provides cooler, drier weather than the areas surrounding it.

Harare is the capital of Zimbabwe, and it lies at 17.86 degrees south latitude and 31.02 degrees east longitude. Because Harare lies in the southern hemisphere, it's winter months are the opposite of North America, occurring from June through August. The coldest month in Harare is July with an average monthly temperature of 56 degrees fahrenheit. Summer months in Harare are November through January, and are also the hottest months in Harare with an average monthly temperature of 70 degrees fahrenheit. According to this data, Harare has an annual temperature range of 14 degrees fahrenheit, which indicates that Harare has very little temperature change through seasons. Harare's latitude puts it in the tropics, between the equator and the tropic of capricorn. This accounts for Harare's mild seasonality, but it's moderately cool temperature is attributed to it's high elevation.
(http://www.harare.climatemps.com/)

Zimbabwe's geographic location puts Harare at an elevation of 1480 meters, almost a mile high. Altitude is one of the temperature controls we discussed in class, and is the main contributor to Harare's slightly uncharacteristic climate for the area. We learned that air temperature is controlled by solar radiation from the sun bumping into air particles, transferring heat energy from one particle to another. In higher elevations, less pressure is exerted on the atmosphere because it is further from earth's gravitational pull, therefore air is less dense at higher altitudes. Less air particles means the particles are further apart, and less collisions with solar radiation and other air particles. This means that less heat energy is transferred from the sun to the atmosphere, which in turn causes the temperature to be lower than it normally would at sea level.

A temperature control that wouldn't apply to Harare would be ocean currents. Zimbabwe is a landlocked country and therefore is not affected by any major ocean currents. There is an apparent south-easterly airflow cooling the city, but the winds affect the ocean currents, not vice versa. Ocean currents usually moderates climate, but in the tropics, climate is generally moderate already, so the effect is to a lesser extent.

According to current climate data, I would predict Harare's average annual temperature to rise in the future. I have come to this conclusion based on a few assumptions. First, I assumed that over time erosion takes place. Second, although not an accurate assumption, I assumed that erosion won't drastically affect ocean currents. Third, I assumed this climate change would take place before plate tectonics make a difference. Erosion would reduce the elevation of Harare, which would cause a rise in temperature. Also, erosion over time may bring the coastline closer to Zimbabwe, exposing Harare to the Agulhas current, which is a warm water current moving down the eastern coast of Africa. This would also cause the temperature to rise.

After looking into the climate of Harare in Zimbabwe, it is easy to see how temperature controls we discussed in class can directly affect climate of a region. Altitude is the main temperature control affecting climate in Harare, providing cooler annual temperatures than surrounding areas. Conversely, a temperature control such as ocean currents do not affect landlocked countries like Zimbabwe.