Global and Local Winds in Madagascar!

Madagascar's latitude is around 18° S and 47° E. This puts the country in the southern hemisphere in the Hadley cell. In this wind belt are the trade winds or the tropical easterlies. The wind blows from the east. Madagascar is in the middle of the Hadley cell so it is not under a main pressure belt but the southern tip of the island is around 25° S so it comes right up to the area where subtropical highs are located. 25° S(N) are also where the Horse latitudes start so the island comes right up to those also so winds weaken in the very southern part of the island compared to the north.

Since Madagascar is in the Hadley cell it should expect to have a warmer climate since it is closer to the equator. Also, since the winds blow from the east the windward side of the island (the eastern side of Madagascar) is a lot wetter (more rain) than the leeward side (western side) where deserts are more commonly found. The pressure is lower in this cell due to excessive heating.

http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/SEmono/TSE2002/TSE2002gif/TP2002-Fig19s.gif

Some breeze/winds that are associated with mountains include Eddies, valley breeze, mountain breeze, katabatic winds, and chinooks. Madagascar does indeed have a mountain range that is quite similar to those here on O'ahu. You will mostly likely find the valley and mountain breezes in Madagascar. Since Madagascar is also an island there is nothing but a coastline surrounding it. Sea and land breezes and monsoons are both likely to happen on a coastline around this area of the world. Both are experience in Madagascar. 

Sources:

http://www.mapsofworld.com/lat_long/madagascar-lat-long.html

My textbook

Typical Weather and Tourism in Madagascar

During the month of June is when the winter solstice occurs in Madagascar. This year it will be on Saturday, June 21. The average maximum temperature is usually around 76. The average minimum temperature reaches around 59. The precipitation for June is low staying around 2.5 inches of rain.

During the month of December the summer solstice occurs. This year it will fall on Monday, December 22. The average maximum temperature is usually around 84 in December. The average minimum temperature is around 68. The precipitation is usually about 8-9inches of rain.

During the month of September the spring equinox occurs. This year it will fall on Tuesday, September 23. The average maximum temperature for that month is around 78 while the minimum temperature is around 60. There is low precipitation in September, seeing around 2in of rain during that month.

During the month of March the autumnal equinox occurs. This year it will fall on Thursday, March 20th. The maximum temperature for this month is around 83. The minimum temperature falls around 68. Precipitation is heavy in this month as well seeing around 9 inches of rain in September.

If I was advising someone to visit Madagascar I would recommend they visit during the spring (September-December). During this time it is great for seeing animals, since it is breeding season, most of the animals that live in Madagascar are active during this time. Exploring the forests and bird watching and lemur watching is recommended. There are no huge weather hazards during this time. While I would guess it's always possible for a hurricane to hit, the spring in Madagascar has very low precipitation so cyclone and hurricanes aren't near as likely to happen as they are during the winter and fall. While it may be less wet during this time it is important to keep in mind it is very humidity in most all locations in Madagascar during all times of the year. It sometimes reaches above 90% humidity! The great thing about this time is that it won't be too hot or too cold. It only gets to about low 80s at the shore and low as the mid 70s in the higher altitudes. The perfect temperatures for exploring!

http://www.safari.co.uk/madagascar/

I can't share just one photo!

http://www.rainbowtours.co.uk/blog/nature-based-tourism-part-1-madagascar/a-stream-in-the-primary-rainforest-of-ranomafana-national-park-eastern-madagascar/

Okay ONE more....!

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/bd/Spiny_Forest_Ifaty_Madagascar.jpg

From the beaches, to the mountains, then over the rain forests, then deserts Madagascar is everything wrapped into one island, ready to be explored by all adventure seekers!

Information found at:

http://www.drikpanchang.com/seasons/season-winter-solstice-timings.html?l=13271

http://www.whatstheweatherlike.org/madagascar/

http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/city.php3?c=MG

https://weatherspark.com/averages/29102/6/Antananarivo-Antananarivo-

http://www.africa.com/madagascar/travel/what-to-do/

Temperature controls in the city of --- in Madagascar

On this post today I will be discussing the climate of Madagascar's capitol, Antananarivo. I will go over its current temperature averages, the things that impact those averages, then end with a look into what could be in store for the future climate of this city.

Antananarivo is in located on the eastern slope of the mountains close to the center of the country. Its latitude and longitude were around 18° 55' S and 47° 31' E. The warmest month of the year is usually January or February, both with an average of 69°F. The coolest month of the year is July, with an average temperature of 57°F. This gives Antananarivo the temperature range of 8°F which is not much at all. Part of the reason for this warmer climate with such a small range is because it is rather close to the equator. Also, what I realized about the city is that it really isn't not affected by any of the temperature controls that we had discussed in my meteorology class (sorry for the double negative). It is close to the equator so it doesn't have much temperature change during the year. It is on a mountain at an elevation of 4,186ft, so it stays cooler that what it would at the shore. Also since it is up in the mountains it tends to be quite cloudier during the day which also helps to keep it cooler. It is on an island and on the side of the island that the wind runs into so the warmer air that sweeps SE into the island from the ocean is blown up into the city (thus being one of the causes of the clouds I brought up just before this). Since Antananarivo is affected by so much there are many things that could occur to cause a fluctuation in the city. In fact, when I was researching it happens that things are currently happening there that are causing quite the stir, and not just in the city but the whole country. One of the things being the oceans and their temperature and climate. Madagascar is know for its beautiful reefs that overflow with sea life and if those are taken away by climate change the country would be headed for not such a great place. It has also been getting rainier and rainier each year. This is not only causing flooding but providing the country to be the perfect habitat for locusts. Literally 500 billion locust are thought to be on the island right now and could take down nearly 60% of Madagascar's rice crop! Rice is the staple ingredient in the countries cuisine. When looking to the future for Madagascar I can only hope there will be brightness... I have included a video of the locust in Antananarivo for your view pleasures... I could never even imagine it.

http://www.travelmath.com/cities/Antananarivo,+Madagascar

http://www.antananarivo.climatemps.com/

https://www.meteoblue.com/en/madagascar/weather-antananarivo/archive

http://globalvoicesonline.org/2014/02/18/adapting-to-extreme-climate-change-in-mali-and-madagascar/