Editing Veld (section)

==Climate==

The climate of the veld is highly variable, but its general pattern is mild winters from May to September and hot or very hot summers from November to March, with moderate or considerable variations in daily temperatures and abundant sunshine. Precipitation mostly occurs in the summers in the form of high-energy [[thunderstorm]]s.

Over most of the South African Highveld, the average annual rainfall is between {{convert|500|and|900|mm}} a year, decreasing to about {{convert|250|mm|abbr=on}} near the western border and increasing to nearly {{convert|1000|mm|abbr=on}} in some parts of the [[Lesotho Highlands]]; the South African lowveld generally receives more precipitation than the highveld. Temperature is closely related to elevation. In general, the mean July (winter) temperatures range between {{convert|7|C}} in the Lesotho highlands and {{convert|16|C}} in the lowveld. January (summer) temperatures range between {{convert|18|and|30|C}}.

In Zimbabwe, precipitation averages around {{convert|750|-|900|mm|abbr=on}} on the highveld, dropping to less than {{convert|350|mm}} in the lowest areas of the Lowveld. Temperatures are slightly higher than in South Africa.

Over the entire veld, seasonal and annual average rainfall variations of up to 40% are common. Damaging drought affects at least half the area about once every three or four years; it reduces plant and animal biomass to sustainable levels again. Everywhere, the average number of hours of annual sunshine varies from 60 to 80% of the total amount possible.