Climate
Current Climate:
Augrabies is situated in an semi-arid region, implying low annual rainfall and extreme variations in temperature. During winter months the average daytime temperature often hovers around 20°C, with the mercury plummeting as low as -7.3 °C during the coldest nights in June and July. As summer arrives, the landscape basks in warmth, with temperatures soaring above 40 °C during December, January, and February. In January 2016, a record high of 48.6 °C was recorded within the park. During these months the high temperatures are further aggravated by the many rocks where temperatures can reach up to 70°C during the day. Summer nights are usually more pleasant, but temperatures will remain high at around 25 °C.
Autumn and spring are characterized by pleasant, moderate temperatures.
Weather data in the park have been tracked since 2001. Trends show a steady climb, with both average minimum and maximum temperatures rising by nearly 1 °C and over 2 °C respectively over the past two decades. The frequency of scorching hot days (>35 °C) has surged, averaging two additional days each year.
The average annual rainfall in the park is around 119mm, with most rains occurring between November and April. Summer rain usually falls in short, heavy bursts, accompanied by spectacular thunderstorms and strong winds. Winter rains are gentle and last 1-3 days resulting in a flower paradise.
Projected Future Climate:
Predictions paint a heated future, with mean annual temperatures set to rise by up to 3.5 °C by 2050. Such changes will drastically alter the park’s landscape, with models projecting as many as 72 additional scorching days above 35 °C annually.
Rainfall, mainly a summer affair, swings from as high as 348.4 mm (measured in 1976) to as low as 8.4 mm (1951). Over the span of 1946 to 2021, the average annual rainfall stood at 119 mm. While the Orange River may receive increased rainfall from its catchments, the park remains relatively arid, with the waterfall and river hidden in gorges and largely unreachable within the current park confines. Future projections suggest a drying trend of up to 48 mm per year, or an increase of over 90 mm annually, while hints at limited rainfall change exist.
In the hottest and driest scenarios, the entire park area could veer beyond its current biome envelope, resembling more of a desert, though more recent projections offer a glimpse of biome stability in large parts of the park.