Subtropical
anticyclones
Location and general characteristics of high-pressure cells that
affect South Africa
Location of high – pressure cells
o South Africa lies between latitudes 22° S and 35° S.
o This position means our climate is dominated by the belt of subtropical highs that circle
Earth at 30° S.
o In southern Africa there are three cells of high pressure, or anticyclones, that form part
of this belt of subtropical highs: the South Atlantic anticyclone, the South Indian
anticyclone and the Kalahari anticyclone.
General characteristics of high-pressure cells
o The subtropical highs are caused by air subsiding from
the tropical and mid-latitude cells
o Anticyclones bring descending, dry, warming air
resulting in clear skies and sunshine, which is why most
of southern Africa is dominated by this type of weather.
o At the surface, an anticyclone in the southern
hemisphere has winds blowing around the high in an
anticlockwise direction.
Anticyclonic air circulation around South Africa
and its influence on weather and climate
o The South Atlantic, South Indian and Kalahari
anticyclones affect South Africa’s climate all year.
o They cause descending warming air and dry conditions for most of the year.
o Their positions change slightly all the time and this is what gives us changing seasonal
climate and changing weather conditions on a weekly or even daily basis.
anticyclones
Location and general characteristics of high-pressure cells that
affect South Africa
Location of high – pressure cells
o South Africa lies between latitudes 22° S and 35° S.
o This position means our climate is dominated by the belt of subtropical highs that circle
Earth at 30° S.
o In southern Africa there are three cells of high pressure, or anticyclones, that form part
of this belt of subtropical highs: the South Atlantic anticyclone, the South Indian
anticyclone and the Kalahari anticyclone.
General characteristics of high-pressure cells
o The subtropical highs are caused by air subsiding from
the tropical and mid-latitude cells
o Anticyclones bring descending, dry, warming air
resulting in clear skies and sunshine, which is why most
of southern Africa is dominated by this type of weather.
o At the surface, an anticyclone in the southern
hemisphere has winds blowing around the high in an
anticlockwise direction.
Anticyclonic air circulation around South Africa
and its influence on weather and climate
o The South Atlantic, South Indian and Kalahari
anticyclones affect South Africa’s climate all year.
o They cause descending warming air and dry conditions for most of the year.
o Their positions change slightly all the time and this is what gives us changing seasonal
climate and changing weather conditions on a weekly or even daily basis.
