Climbing in South Africa is larger than anywhere else on the African continent, this both due to demographics and the opportunities presented by the countries numerous mountain ranges and ragged, rocky shore lines. The climate varies greatly depending on ones location. In the Western Cape, those who are not familiar with the areas weather can be caught off guard in the winter months by strong storms which seem to appear out of nowhere, the Western Cape has a winter rainfall climate and most rain is a result of a cold front. In the northern parts of South Africa, there is a summer rainfall pattern and the weather is mostly convective, meaning climbers will often begin their climb in 30'C weather and an hour later have a severe thunderstorm downburst above them. The distinctive difference between the winter rainfall and the summer rainfall in South Africa is that the summer rainfall areas' showers usually only last a few minutes, while in the Western Cape it can last for days.
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