Climate
Zimbabwe, lying as it does, north of the Tropic of Capricorn, may be completely within the tropics, but it enjoys subtropical due to its high average elevation. Toward the end of the hot, dry months (generally August to October), monsoon winds that have crossed the Indian Ocean and Mozambique result in intense orographic rainfall when they meet the rampart formed by the eastern highlands.
This means that the eastern regions receive the country’s heaviest rainfall and have a more prolonged rainy season (generally lasting from October into April) than the rest of Zimbabwe.
The dry season includes a short cool season during the period May to September when the whole country has very little rain (which is the case with much of Southern Africa).
Zimbabwe enjoys a surprising amount of local areas of variation, as the southern areas are known for their heat and aridity, while parts of the central plateau receive frost in winter. In contrast the Zambezi valley is known for its extreme heat and the Eastern Highlands usually experience cool temperatures and the highest rainfall in the country.
Crops are understandably affected, but above 1 050 millimetres of rain per annum allows for the growth of fruit, tea, coffee and intensive livestock production.
Between 650–800 millimetres per annum, with regular mid-season dry spells, allows for livestock production along with with fodder crops. There is also marginal production of maize, tobacco and cotton.
Lower than 450–650 millimetres allows for drought resistant crops only and less than 450 millimetres, is insufficient for such crops and greatly affects livestock production.
Unfortunately, Zimbabwe tends to go through drought cycles on a relatively regular basis.
This means that the eastern regions receive the country’s heaviest rainfall and have a more prolonged rainy season (generally lasting from October into April) than the rest of Zimbabwe.
The dry season includes a short cool season during the period May to September when the whole country has very little rain (which is the case with much of Southern Africa).
Zimbabwe enjoys a surprising amount of local areas of variation, as the southern areas are known for their heat and aridity, while parts of the central plateau receive frost in winter. In contrast the Zambezi valley is known for its extreme heat and the Eastern Highlands usually experience cool temperatures and the highest rainfall in the country.
Crops are understandably affected, but above 1 050 millimetres of rain per annum allows for the growth of fruit, tea, coffee and intensive livestock production.
Between 650–800 millimetres per annum, with regular mid-season dry spells, allows for livestock production along with with fodder crops. There is also marginal production of maize, tobacco and cotton.
Lower than 450–650 millimetres allows for drought resistant crops only and less than 450 millimetres, is insufficient for such crops and greatly affects livestock production.
Unfortunately, Zimbabwe tends to go through drought cycles on a relatively regular basis.
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