Annual maize production in Zambia was on average 1.1 Mt in the period 2000 to 2010, and average yields of about 1.5 t/ha that have not significantly changed over the past 20 years. Stephen is a travel writer and avid conservationist whose work appears in prestigious magazines such as Africa Geographic and Travel Africa. [15] This means that the occurrence of extreme climate events such as droughts and floods would become more frequent. Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Quick NetOne, Telecel, Africom, And Econet Airtime Recharge, Advantages and Disadvantages of wood as a source of energy, Advantages and Disadvantages of Hydroelectricity, Advantages and Disadvantages of Solar energy, Advantages and Disadvantages of Nuclear power as a source of energy, Advantages and Disadvantages of Natural gas as a source of energy. Zambia - Zambia - Climate: 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. The mountains block the passage of rain-producing weather systems, casting a "shadow" of dryness behind them. This is because vulnerability to climate shocks was engendered. and cools at the higher altitude, producing rain on the upwind 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. Cultivated maize area has been on average 700,000 ha between 1987 and 2007, with largest area of 900,000 ha in 2008. The main sites are: The Mopane tree Colophospermum mopane is also a legume and grows in hotter locations than the miombo species, and so Mopane woodlands, covering about 15% of the country, replace southern miombo woodlands at lower elevations in valleys in the south of the country, principally: This ecoregion, covering about 5% of Zambia in the south-west, is dominated by Baikiaea plurijuga, Zambian teak. The broad types of soil found in Zambia are: In areas where soils are waterlogged for all or part of the year, or are very infertile, sandy or acidic, they take over from climate as the predominant factor in determining the distribution of plants and animals. Second, the near bisection of the continent by the Equator results in a largely symmetrical arrangement of climatic zones on either side. Because such fires happen annually, there is no great buildup of dry fuel in the bush, and so the fires are not usually devastating. How has demand for water in the UK changed? 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. - Temperature: the mean temperature is predicted to increase in Zambia with a greater frequency of 'Hot' days1 and nights and very few 'Cold'2 days or nights - Rainfall: changes in rainfall are less certain, but rainfall is expected to increase in the rainy season and the winter is expect to be even drier. [citation needed], Flooding is an annual event on floodplains, to which people and wildlife are adapted. Climate information for Zambia including average temperature, rain and snowfall totals. kcse past papers What factors influence the effects and response to tectonic activity? The rainfall here is around 1131 mm | 44.5 inch per year. However, except in the case of the last ecoregion listed, even where the canopy is extensive, at ground level the woodland is relatively open, affording quite easy passage by animals and people. mathematics past papers agriculture Together with their associated rivers, the WWF categorises these freshwater ecoregions in Zambia: Zambezi Basin made up of (not shown on the map): On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Frontal rain produces a variety of clouds, which bring moderate to heavy rainfall. Climate information for Zambia including average temperature, rain and snowfall totals. Private tourMid-rangeLodge & Self Catering Accommodation, You Visit: Lusaka (Start), Lower Zambezi NP, South Luangwa NP, Mfuwe (End), 468 The hot surface heats up the air near it causing it to rise. The situation could deteriorate in the days ahead, with Zambia expected to experience heavy rains, according to the countrys Meteorological Department, with the potential for flash floods in Mufumbwe, Kasempa, Kabwe, Lusaka, Siavonga, Gwembe and Chipata districts. Except for those living in areas of permanent freshwater, animals are adapted to the long dry season, as seen in migration and breeding patterns. Water quality and pollution management in the UK. Zambia is a landlocked country located in Southern Africa, to the east of Angola. Study it carefully and follow the route of the water. Its surface is almost invariably consisting of a geologically stable land mass made up of the pre-Cambrian basement rock overlain in part by sedimentary cover of a later period. Warm air is pushed up and over the terrain The numbers relate to the location labels on the map. CAUSES OF SOIL EROSION IN THE TENNESSEE VALLEY REGION, Reasons why countries trade with one another, FACTORS INFLUENCING RAINFALL TYPE AND AMOUNT, IMPACT OF LIGHTING AND MEASURES TO COMBAT IT, UGANDA ADVANCED CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION GEOGRAPHY NOTES, UGANDA ADVANCED CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION SENIOR SIX GEOGRAPHY NOTES, Abundant supply of moisture through evaporation to air so that relative, Intense heating of the ground surface through incoming shortwave electromagnetic, There should be a mountain barrier across the wind direction, so that the moist air is forced on obstruction to move upward, There should be sufficient moisture in the air. Since the beginning of January, following the first floods in Mambwe and Lumezi, the DMMU has been distributing food, tents and water treatment chemicals for the affected population. Three types of rainfall are: Convectional rainfall, this type of rainfall occurs due to thermal convention due to heating of the ground surface. Convection makes the air rise and cool. This page was last edited on 6 September 2022, at 20:10. Copy. If the annual flood is disrupted by dams, woody shrubs of lower nutritional value tend to replace grasses and so reduce the number of herbivores and biodiversity. This causes air to cool and moisture in the air to condense into rainfall. Lusaka - Average precipitation. How is a cold environment interdependent? The average number of hot days1 and hot nights per year in Zambia have increased while the j) The highest rainfall is recorded soon after the overhead sun in the months of April and October. Small earth dams are often constructed in dambos as a source of water and as fishponds. For example, with both mountains and valleys in the area, the local relief of Yosemite National Park is impressive. How reliable are economic indicators of development? Succulent plants are also widespread, especially in rocky areas. This type of rainfall is common in places with mountains and sea. If you've found the resources on this site useful please consider making a secure donation via PayPal to support the development of the site. Zambia-specific climate change and (2) some empirical background on literature . Dambos are fewer. In the middle to late dry season, bushfires are prevalent, and smoke is noticeable by smell and as a haze. [4][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. As the air rises, it cools, condenses and forms rain. Erosion and the washing out of roads and bridges are common. k) Highland areas along the equator experience modifi ed equatorial climate. The annual rainfall is more than 700 mm (28 in) in the Southern parts, while is more than 1,100 mm (43 in) in the northern parts. The government of Zambia through the ZVAC undertook an assessment of the impact of the drought situation on different sectors during the month of May 2019. The 8 sites listed below form a broad chain running from south-west to north-east. western areas. anywhere. Prevailing winds are not usually very strong and a lack of a great deal of dry fuel on the ground (since most areas are burnt annually it does not build up) means that the fires are not as devastating as in countries such as Australia and the south-western USA. Researched evidence suggested that temperature was likely to increase by 1.82oC and rainfall reduce by 0.87 percentage points by 2050. The Zambia PPCR is both strategic and transformational. Weathering and mass movement in river valleys. During the rainy season months of November to April or May some days may be humid, but daily maximum temperatures are usually a little lower than in the hot dry season. the rain season ranges from 120 to 150 days.The soils are highly leached and generally acidic, . Copyright 2023 SafariBookings. Traditionally, people have also migrated in the drier areas where rivers dambos are not prevalent. December, January, February & March - The wettest months, with heavy downpours in the afternoon. population studies Protection of cold environments as wilderness areas. Farmers in the east and south of In January the ITCZ is in its southernmost Historically, Zambia has been prone to extreme rainfall events resulting in widespread flooding. The maximum heat is experienced during November, while the maximum rainfall is received during December. It comprises an almost impenetrable bush consisting of about a hundred plant species woven together so densely that it is virtually impossible to walk through. The flooding has destroyed crops, including maize, especially in Munyumbwe area in Gwembe District, according to the Governments Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU). SafariBookings is the largest online marketplace for African safari tours. This causes the air to expand and rise. Before the floods, more than 2.3 million people were expected to be severely food . Zambia covers a total area of 752,612 km2 including borders, and lies between 8 and 18 south latitudes and longitudes 22 and 34 east. Almera in Spain: a large-scale agricultural development, Sustainable Food Supplies in an LIC Bangladesh. This symmetry is, however, imperfect because of Relief rainfall occurs when air has been blown over the sea and is then forced up over an area of high land. These are Central, Copperbelt, Eastern, Luapula, Lusaka, Muchinga, Northern, North-Western, Rain occurs on the Windward side and little/no rain on the leeward slope. Relief. Along the banks of permanent rivers and in the spray of waterfalls are evergreen thickets similar in character to tropical rainforest, relics of a wetter past. Convectional rainfall occurs when the land warms up and heats On older flat maps, you may see areas In the Kppen 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. Large parts of Zambia are thinly populated. The southern and western areas of the country have this year experienced their lowest rainfall since 1981, as well . Types of Rainfall. The climate is also determined by wind pattern, relief(how high the place is) etc. Landforms in the middle course of a river. It can occur almost The main sites are: This biome covers an area of only about 100km on the northern border with Malawi, being an extension of a much larger area in Malawi and Tanzania, and so is frequently not counted as present in Zambia. TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATION The significance of food, water and energy, An overview of global inequalities in the supply and consumption of resources, Carbon footprints, food miles and moves towards local sourcing of food. Philip has traveled through Zambia several times and is the author of more than 20 guidebooks to various African destinations. "In the last part of the season, January, February and March, 2021, most parts of Zambia will have a high chance of receiving normal to above normal rainfall. Philip is our Zambia expert and author of more than 20 guidebooks to Africa. slope and dry conditions on the downwind slope. Tunisia Case Study. A two-dimensional relief map displays the topography of a given area. In Barotseland, people move with their livestock, grazing them on the Barotse Floodplain in the dry season and moving to higher ground at the margins during the rainy season. Zambia is considered to be vulnerable to climate change. This means it has a greater ability to carry water moisture and so there is little rain on the far side of the mountain. This is restricted to the highest exposed hills, or more widely in the lower humidity areas of the southernmost parts of the country. Of late, droughts have been crippling the nation and have contributed to the already low life-expectancy GEOLOGY, RELIEF AND DRAINAGE Fig 2.1a page 26 . When classified according to the rate of precipitation, rain can be divided into categories. Grey dambo soils contain more nutrients but are waterlogged in the rainy season and often very acidic, restricting the plants which can grow there to sedges and wiry grasses tolerant of marshy conditions. Learn how and when to remove this template message, "Zambia Seasons | Weather in Zambia - VentureCo Worldwide", "Flooding and Climate Change: Everything You Need to Know", "Climate of Zambia - By The Zambian For Zambia", "which specific area in zambia usually has relief rainfall", "Rainfall trends and variation in the Maasai Mara ecosystem and their implications for animal population and biodiversity dynamics", "LUSAKA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT Climate Normals 1961-1990", National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, "Livingstone MET Climate Normals 19611990", "Impacts of climate change on agriculture and household welfare in Zambia: an economy-wide analysis", International Union for Conservation of Nature, Climate Change Gender Action Plan of the Republic of Zambia, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Climate_of_Zambia&oldid=1136190768, Articles needing additional references from January 2008, All articles needing additional references, Articles with unsourced statements from May 2020, Articles with unsourced statements from January 2023, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, Source 2: Meteo Climat (record highs and lows). As a result, rainfall is usually low on the leeward side of the mountain range and the area is said to be in a rain shadow. Precipitation is measured using a rain gauge, and more recently remote sensing techniques such as a weather radar. The rain can be cooling, unlike in the humid tropics. english language PRACTICAL GEOGRAPHY POPULATION AND DEVELOPMENT [2][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. necta biology If this process continues then rain will fall. chemistry 15,306 views. Tropical and subtropical dry broadleaf forests biome, Tropical and subtropical grasslands, savannas, and shrublands biome, Southern Rift montane forest-grassland mosaic, Tropical and subtropical dry broadleaf forests, Tropical and subtropical grasslands, savannas, and shrublands. Whirlwinds are very common but not usually destructive. Extreme weather in the UK Beast from the East, Extreme Weather in the UK Summer Heatwave 2018. It lies on plateau above 2000 m elevation, with grassland and shrubland dominating. On the flat central African plateau the woodland is interspersed with dambos, grassy wetlands forming the headwaters and margins of rivers which may make up to 30% of the ecoregion and which increase biodiversity of the ecoregion. Rainfall. The deciduous trees usually produce fresh green or reddish leaves just before the rainy season. How do weather and climate affect river landscapes? Zambia. Afternoon temperatures are around 26C/78F and the humidity is high. Relief rainfall is formed when the aircools as it rises over relief features in the landscape such as hills or mountains. In Ndola, the climate is warm and temperate. Relief is being provided to . 1.2 Zambia Month. On average, it rains one in three days in the UK. 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. Flash floods after unusually heavy rain cause damage when they occur in places that do not experience annual floods. Once over the top of the mountain the air will usually drop down the other side, warming as it does so. The Zambia Agribusiness and Trade Project (ZATP), which has a current total of $40 million in funds (2016-2024), is a flagship project that aims to deliver on the government's Jobs and Economic Transformation agenda. Because such fires happen annually, there is no great buildup of dry fuel in the bush, and so the fires are not usually devastating. Here is the average precipitation. Plants susceptible to frost do not grow in the southern half of the country. 1,015mm (39.96 inches). this is a type of rainfall that occurs when air has blown over the sea and is then being forced up over an area of high land. 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. The torrential rainfall and flooding could aggravate the already fragile food insecurity situation in Zambia. Waterspouts can be seen over lakes. The dry season lasts 68 months, divided into the cool dry season or winter from April or May to August, followed by the hot dry season, September to November. Relief rainfall occurs in all altitudes; Rain occurs on the Windward side and little/no rain on the leeward slope. Due to high rainfall and bad roads, the Wet season months from December to March are not ideal for visiting Zambia. . Climate and specifically rainfall amount is the chief determinant of type and distribution of the ecoregions of Zambia. The food security situation is rain Weather Zambia, Satellite Weather Zambia, Weather Forecast, Rainfall, Clouds, Sun in Zambia - Source: SAT24.com During the cold months (June and July), the area west of the Line of Rail is coolest, with mean minimum temperatures mostly below the mid-40s F (about 7 C). The leeward side is sometimes known as a rain shadow area. Coastal areas experience a short drier season with most rain occurring over March to October. The north-south highland barrier is interrupted by a major gap, the Turkana gap, between the Ethiopian and the Kenya Highlands (Figure 1). Frost only occurs on a few days in winter on the highest exposed hills, or more widely in the lower humidity areas of the southern half of the country. This ecoregion is made up of grassland and shrubland, with a great variety of orchids and wildflowers on exposed hills, with forest in narrow valleys and small depressions. Grasses and some other herbaceous plants dry up above ground but regenerate quickly with the onset of rains from roots and tubers, etc. Elsewhere, plants and animals are adapted to the long dry season. Warm wet air is forced to rise over high land. Zambia experiences good rainfall, with extremes of 500 to 1400 mm (most areas fall into the range 700 to ) in a distinct rainy season of four to six months centred on January, when the moist intertropical convergence zone is over the country. Lower average altitudes characterize most of the areas in the North. [14] Zambia is considered vulnerable to the impacts of climate change because the majority of the population rely on agriculture for their livelihoods - and changes in rainfall patterns has a negative impact due to the rainfed nature of production. Relief rain. Camerapix International Publishing, Nairobi, 1996. Tours, Ethiopia Hydropower, based on dammed surface water reservoirs, is a key part of Zambias energy mix, but poor rainfall (e.g. But Bangalore is in rain . Stage 1. Sure, this shaded relief map is nice. Sue is an award-winning writer who specializes in African travel and conservation. What are the physical characteristics of cold environments? Dambos also release groundwater to streams and rivers towards the end of the dry season, keeping them flowing permanently. Flooding in some parts of Lusaka. How are Nigerias trading and political relationships changing? There are reports that more than 2 million people may be affected by the damage to agriculture. The elevation of the great central African plateau on which Zambia is located, typically between 1000 and 1300 metres, modifies temperatures, which are lower than for coastal areas at the same latitude, and pleasant for much of the year. The Zambia Meteorological Department has warned of more flash floods and heavy fall in North-western, Central, Copperbelt and Lusaka Provinces. Peshawar is a rain fed area and gets western depression rain in winter and also receives rain from monsoon in summer. Southern areas of Madagascar are facing a very poor early stage of the season, with potential impacts persisting from the significant drought of the previous growing season of 2019-2020. Relief rainfall is when the warm moist air from the sea . The vegetation is adapted to it, particularly the grasses, and at that time of the year deciduous trees have lost most of their leaves and so usually do not suffer extensive damage. Rainfall and recharge to a dolomite aquifer in a semi-arid climate at Kabwe, Zambia. This refers to the landscape position and the slopes it has. Peshawar is located at higher altitude than Quetta so moist winds easily reach their. The average temperature in Zambia in the summer is 30C and in the winter (colder season) it can get as low as 5C. None of the country is considered arid or to be desert. What are the effects of deforestation in the Amazon? As a country with very distinct rainy and dry seasons, with a high rainfall in the former, and having a fairly flat topography, Zambian rivers and low-lying areas are prone to flooding, and there are extensive permanent swamps. Except for those living in areas of permanent freshwater, animals are adapted to the long dry season, as seen in migration and breeding patterns. This warm, moist air then rises, and as it rises, it cools. It is well adapted to hot dry areas on sandy soils, and forms extensive forests which have been over-exploited by commercial timber production over the past 75 years, in: These are the most extensive non-floodplain grasslands in Zambia, covering about 5% of the country in the west, and support large herds of wildebeest which migrate between western Zambia and Angola. During the 2019/2020 rainy season, Zambia recorded above normal rainfall which resulted into flooding and dry spells in isolated parts of the country particularly in Western Province. Zambia is divided into three agro-ecological zones with distinct mean annual rainfall, ranging from 600mm to 1200mm.