ottosdal has a relatively hot and dry climate. summers are very hot. winter, which seldom last more than two to three months a year, is characterized by cold nights and mild to warm days. the average yearly rainfall is 550 mm (21.6 inches). precipitation primarily occurs between october to april in the form of heavy thunderstorms during the mid-summer and light rain in the autumn. hail can occur between december and february and it only snows once a decade at most. between august and october, strong winds and dust storms can occur (de jager 1997).