Why are droughts common in much of Southern Africa?

Droughts are a recurring feature in much of Southern Africa due to a combination of geographical, atmospheric, and climatic factors.

• Subtropical High-Pressure Systems: Much of the region is influenced by descending, divergent upper air masses associated with a subtropical high-pressure belt. This creates stable atmospheric conditions that generally suppress rainfall and lead to low annual precipitation.1
• Ocean Currents: The cold Benguela Current flowing along the west coast chills the air above it, increasing atmospheric stability and contributing to the dryness of the western parts of the region.21
• Air Mass Stability: During certain seasons, maritime air masses remain stable offshore or over the land, failing to produce rain unless forced to rise by significant topography.23
• Climatic Variability: The region experiences high variability in seasonal and annual rainfall, with fluctuations of up to 40 percent being common.4
• Teleconnections: Large-scale climate patterns, such as the El Niño-Southern Oscillation, significantly impact the region. Specifically, El Niño events are often associated with warmer and drier conditions in southeastern Africa.5