Climate Patterns
Africa and the United States have distinct climates shaped by their geography, landmass, and proximity to the equator. Africa, with most of its landmass within the tropics, has a predominantly warm or hot climate, though rainfall and humidity vary significantly. Conversely, the U.S., spanning temperate to Arctic zones, experiences a wider range of temperatures and precipitation.
Africa
- Highest recorded High: Africa’s highest temperature is in the Sahara and the highest temperature ever recorded was at Al Aziziyah Libya on September 13, 1922, at 136.4°F (58.0°C) in the shade! Years later in 2012, World Meteorological Organization (WMO) invalidated it, on the assumption that the instrumentation used had errors. How is that when this reading was nearly a decade after the California measurement? That is voodoo science, they were not there and gave no empirical reasoning as to why it had to be wrong. Anyway, let’s move on.
- Temperature Extremes: The Sahara sees highs exceeding 115°F (46°C) and lows of 50°F (10°C). Near the equator, temperatures average around 75°F (24°C), rarely surpassing 100°F (38°C). Eastern highlands and southern areas are cooler, with frost and occasional snow.
- Rainfall Variability: Rainfall ranges from 10 inches (25 cm) annually in deserts like the Sahara and Namib to over 100 inches (250 cm) in the Congo Basin and West African coasts.
United States
- Lowest Recorded Low: The United States has great variations of temperature that can be regionally summarized. Average annual temperatures range from 10°F (-12°C) in areas like Barrow Alaska to 76°F (24°C) in Death Valley California with its highest temperature recorded at 134°F (57°C) recorded July 10, 1913. On January 23, 1971, the temperature of -80°F (-62 °C) was the lowest temperature ever recorded in the US and it came from Prospect Creek Alaska near Barrow
- Temperature Extremes: Temperatures vary from -80°F (-62°C) in Alaska to 134°F (57°C) in California’s Death Valley. Seasonal temperature changes are more pronounced, with cold, snowy winters in the north and mild, rainy conditions on the coasts.
- Precipitation Variability: Precipitation spans from 2 inches (5 cm) in Death Valley to 460 inches (1,170 cm) on Hawaii’s Mount Waialeale. Coastal areas experience moderate rain, while mountain regions are cooler and wetter.
Recent Natural Disasters
Both continents have faced catastrophic natural disasters in recent years, highlighting the escalating impact of climate change.
Africa
- Cyclone Freddy (2023): Affected Mozambique, Malawi, Madagascar, Zimbabwe, and South Africa.
- Libya Flooding (2023): Devastated Derna, Libya.
- East Africa Drought (2023-2024): Widespread famine in Ethiopia, Somalia, Kenya, and Uganda.
- Cyclone Mocha (2023): Hit Madagascar, Mozambique, and Tanzania.
- Sudan Flooding (2023): Impacted Khartoum and nearby areas.
- Heatwaves (2024): Southern Africa experienced record-breaking temperatures (>104°F/40°C).
- Tropical Storm Anna (2024): Struck Mozambique and Madagascar.
United States
- Los Angeles County Wildfires (2025): Resulted in $150 billion in damages and significant loss of life.
- Hurricanes Helene and Milton (2024): Struck the southeastern U.S., causing extensive flooding and property damage.
- December 2023 Nor’easter: Brought heavy snow, rain, and winds, causing widespread outages on the East Coast.
Climate Change and Escalating Extremes
Since the 20th century, climate records have been meticulously tracked, documenting temperature extremes and weather anomalies. Yet, in recent years, the scale and frequency of natural disasters have intensified. From record-breaking wildfires in California to prolonged droughts in Africa, these events underscore a global shift in weather patterns.
Key Questions:
- What drives these drastic climate changes?
- Can technology or scientific intervention mitigate these disasters?
- Are there opportunities for cross-continental collaboration to address these challenges?
Potential Solutions
- Innovative Water Redistribution: Could persistent rainfall from the Congo Basin alleviate drought-stricken areas in Africa and suppress wildfires in California?
- Climate Technology: Investment in adaptive infrastructure and early-warning systems to predict and mitigate disasters.
- Global Cooperation: Organizations like the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) must lead efforts in standardizing data collection and fostering international strategies for climate resilience.
Finally;
The urgency to act on climate change is clear and now. Africa and the United States, though different in geography and climate, face a shared vulnerability to natural disasters. The question is no longer just about understanding the problem but identifying actionable remedies. By leveraging science, technology, and global cooperation, both continents can work towards a more resilient perhaps shared future…..? Saving lives could be compelling!
•Learner and educator, Ngozi Bell has both private and public sector experience from leadership to practitioner, developer to end-user, and multinational to startups. She resides with her family and is encouraged by the inexhaustible possibilities!
