How does rainfall in the Highveld compare with rainfall in the Lowveld of Eswatini?

In Eswatini, there is a significant disparity in precipitation between the Highveld and the Lowveld due to steep precipitation gradients caused by the country's sharp change in altitude from west to east.1

• Highveld: This region receives an average annual rainfall of approximately 55 inches (1,400 mm).1
• Lowveld: This region receives significantly less, with an average annual rainfall of about 22 inches (560 mm).1

Across the country, rainfall is concentrated in the summer months, with about 80 percent of precipitation occurring between October and March. While these averages provide a baseline, both regions are subject to great variability and extreme fluctuations in annual totals from year to year.1