What is the climate zone in central Africa with wet and dry seasons?

The climate zone in central Africa characterized by distinct wet and dry seasons is the tropical savanna climate. It is warm throughout the year but receives rainfall unevenly across the seasons.

In the Köppen system, tropical savanna climates are mainly classified as Aw, with a dry winter, or As, with a dry summer. The driest month has less than 60 millimetres of precipitation and also falls below a threshold based on annual rainfall. This separates savanna climates from wetter tropical monsoon and rainforest climates.

Large areas of central and northern tropical Africa have this seasonal pattern as the Intertropical Convergence Zone moves north and south during the year. Its movement brings a rainy season when rising moist air produces storms, followed by a dry season dominated by more stable air. The length of each season varies by location.

Savannas are not necessarily treeless grasslands. Many contain scattered trees and woody vegetation, shaped by seasonal drought, grazing, and fire. Tropical savanna climates also occur in Brazil, India, northern Australia, Central America and parts of Southeast Asia.