The climate in the Drakensberg area of KwaZulu-Natal
The elevation of the Drakensberg in KwaZulu-Natal, where peaks exceed 3000 metres, results in moderate temperatures. This also applies to the Natal Midlands in front of the Drakensberg, where summer temperatures hardly ever rise over the 30 degree mark. Precipitation is concentrated on the rainy season in summer (December, January and February), when daily thundershowers occur. At times it pours for days, sometimes a whole week. But there are always long sunny periods as well, even in the rainy season.
In the winter months (from June to August) it is dry and pleasantly warm during the day. The thermometer climbs up to over 20 degrees. But the nights can be really cold and even in the moderately high regions, temperatures sink below zero. In higher regions it snows. The autumn months of April and May have the most pleasant climate. Spring is also very appealing, because at that time the wild flowers are in full bloom.
The climatic conditions in South Africa are largely dependent on the altitude of the area in question and its proximity to one of the oceans. Climate does, therefore, vary considerably regionally. Click on a climate zone for details.
