South Africa St Lucia - Climate

South Africa St Lucia 26º 51' South, 32º 6' East, the Climate is sub tropical, hot summers and mild warm winters. The summer half of the year experiences about 60% of the the annual rainfall the wettest period being from January to March. Strong north winds, a hazy south horizon and wispy high cirrus clouds are signs indicating an approaching weather front from the southern ocean. These northwards moving fronts are associated with rainfall in St Lucia. As the front passes a south wind arises usually followed by periods of calm.

The coast line of South Africa St Lucia boast the highest vegetated sand dunes in Africa. These dunes deflect warm moist air from the Indian ocean upwards causing condensation and rainfall. This effect is local to the area and key to replenishing the wetlands of the Greater St Lucia Wetlands Park, a World Heritage Site and the oldest wildlife proclaimed nature reserve in South Africa.

St Lucia falls in the southernmost region of Africa, which on occasion could be affected by tropical cyclones. The last of these cyclones was Domoina in 1984. She deposited huge amounts of rain in the St Lucia catchment area, causing extensive flooding.