African climate


SPOT-4 vegetation image of Africa
 
SPOT-4 vegetation image of Africa
 
 
The climate and weather in Africa vary enormously across the continent. These differences depend on latitude, terrain altitude, vicinity to the ocean, vegetation cover and human-geographical factors.

Tropical, subtropical and temperate zones follow each other in sequence north and south of the equator.

Many types of vegetation cover can be found within the climate zones. They vary from rain forests to savannas and deserts.

Africa's climate is determined by the predominant weather types of the different geographical regions.

The weather plays an important role in the daily life of African people. It affects not only the agriculture and the availability of fresh water, but also natural hazards like wildfires and floods.
 
 

This case study includes:

  • a background section
  • a worksheet introduction
  • exercises

    • You can access them by clicking on the links on the right.

     
     
      
    Last update: 17 April 2013


    African climate

     •  Background (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Eduspace_Weather_EN/SEMLD3KTYRF_0.html)

    Exercises

     •  Introduction (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Eduspace_Weather_EN/SEM5L3KTYRF_0.html)
     •  Manual exercises (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Eduspace_Weather_EN/SEMCM3KTYRF_0.html)
     •  Exercises using LEOWorks (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Eduspace_Weather_EN/SEM7Y3KTYRF_0.html)

    Links

     •  Meteosat images (http://www.eumetsat.int)
     •  Actual weather
    animation using
    Meteosat     (http://oiswww.eumetsat.org/IPPS/html/MSG/IMAGERY/IR108/BW/FULLDISC/)
     •  Weather broadcast worldwide (http://weather.edition.cnn.com/weather/intl/forecast.jsp)
     •  Climate system (http://www.espere.net/index.html)
     •  Seasonal change of the NDVI (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Eduspace_Weather_EN/SEML04KTYRF_0.html)

    Eduspace - Software

     •  LEOWorks 3 (http://esamultimedia.esa.int/multimedia/LEOWorks3.exe)

    Eduspace - Download

     •  Africa - Meteosat visible channel (http://esamultimedia.esa.int/img/2013/11/Meteosat_VIS.zip)
     •  Africa - Meteosat thermal infrared channel (http://esamultimedia.esa.int/img/2013/11/Meteosat_IR.zip)
     •  Africa - Meteosat water vapour channel (http://esamultimedia.esa.int/img/2013/11/Meteosat_WV.zip)