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Tropical Weather
High temperatures, heavy rainfall and oppressive humidity characterise equatorial and subtropical regions, except at high altitudes. At low altitudes, temperature variation is seldom less than 10 degrees Celsius and is often more than 35 degrees Celsius. At altitudes over 1,500 metres, ice often forms at night. The rain has a cooling effect but when it stops, the temperature soars.


Rainfall is heavy, often with thunder and lightning. Sudden rain beats on the tree canopy, turning trickles into raging torrents and causing rivers to rise. Just as suddenly, the rain stops. Violent storms may occur, usually toward the end of the summer months.

Hurricanes, cyclones and typhoons develop over the sea and rush inland, causing tidal waves and devastation ashore. In choosing campsites, make sure you are above any potential flooding. Prevailing winds vary between winter and summer. The dry season has rain once a day, and the monsoon has continuous rain. In Southeast Asia, winds from the Indian Ocean bring the monsoon, but it is dry when the wind blows from the landmass of China.

Tropical day and night are of equal length. Darkness falls quickly and daybreak is just as sudden.

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The material on Discovery Channel's Survival Zone is for information purposes only. The tips given here are not a substitute for treatment for any medical conditions or professional advice on survival in the outdoors. Professional and medical advice, as appropriate, should be sought regarding outdoor activities intended to be undertaken.