South Africans can expect hot to very hot conditions in several provinces on Friday, with a heatwave set to persist in parts of the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga, while extremely high fire danger conditions are expected across large parts of the country.
The South African Weather Service has warned of persistently high temperatures in parts of the Eastern Cape until Saturday, northern KwaZulu-Natal until Sunday and Mpumalanga, excluding areas along the Escarpment, until Monday.
The forecast for Friday, October 16, also points to isolated showers and thundershowers in parts of Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Limpopo, North West and the Free State, although most areas are expected to remain fine and hot.
SAWS has warned that extremely high fire danger conditions are expected across most of the Northern Cape, the eastern parts of the Western Cape, parts of the Eastern Cape, the western Free State, northern KwaZulu-Natal, south-eastern Mpumalanga and northern and western Limpopo.
Gauteng braces for hot weather and isolated thunderstorms
Gauteng is expected to experience partly cloudy and warm conditions, with isolated showers and thundershowers. Temperatures will be hotter in the extreme northern parts of the province.
The UVB sunburn index is expected to be high, and residents are advised to take precautions against prolonged exposure to the sun.
The North West and Free State are forecast to be fine and hot, becoming partly cloudy in the afternoon, with isolated showers and thundershowers possible in their extreme eastern parts.
Heatwave conditions persist in Mpumalanga and Limpopo
Mpumalanga is expected to experience fine and warm to hot weather, becoming partly cloudy over the Highveld during the afternoon. Isolated thundershowers are possible over the south-western parts of the province.
Conditions will be very hot in places across the Lowveld, while the heatwave advisory remains in place until Monday in parts of the province, except along the Escarpment.
Limpopo is forecast to be fine and hot to very hot, becoming partly cloudy with isolated afternoon thundershowers in the south-western parts.
Extremely high fire danger conditions are also expected in the northern and western parts of Limpopo.
Northern Cape faces extreme fire danger
The Northern Cape is expected to be fine in the central parts, while the rest of the province will experience partly cloudy and hot to very hot conditions. Some areas in the west will be cool to warm, and it will be windy in the east.
SAWS has warned of extremely high fire danger conditions over most parts of the province.
Residents are urged to exercise caution, particularly in areas where hot, dry and windy conditions could contribute to the rapid spread of veld fires.
Western Cape to experience scorching temperatures inland
The Western Cape is expected to have morning fog patches in places over the western parts, followed by partly cloudy and warm to hot conditions.
However, temperatures are expected to reach very hot to extremely hot levels in places over the eastern parts of the province. Conditions will be cool along the south-west coast and adjacent interior.
Fresh to strong north-westerly winds are expected along the western and south-western coast, while moderate southerly winds are forecast along the south coast.
The UVB sunburn index is expected to be very high.
Eastern Cape faces heat and uncomfortable humidity
The Eastern Cape is expected to experience morning fog in places, particularly south of the Escarpment and along the coast, before conditions become fine and warm to hot.
Temperatures will be very hot in places over the interior of the western half of the province, while the eastern half is expected to experience very hot conditions in places south of the Escarpment.
The province is also under a heatwave advisory, with persistently high temperatures expected in parts of the Chris Hani, O.R. Tambo and Alfred Nzo district municipalities until Saturday.
Extremely uncomfortable and humid conditions are expected in places south of the Escarpment.
Along the western half of the Eastern Cape coast, light to moderate north-easterly winds are expected, becoming fresh to strong south-westerly from the evening. The eastern half of the province will experience moderate to fresh north-easterly winds along the coast.
KwaZulu-Natal faces extreme UV exposure
KwaZulu-Natal is forecast to experience partly cloudy and hot to very hot conditions, with morning fog patches in the north-east.
Isolated showers and thundershowers are possible in the extreme north-west, while southern parts of the province will be warm in places.
A heatwave advisory remains in place for parts of northern KwaZulu-Natal until Sunday. Very hot to extremely hot and uncomfortable conditions are also expected in places over the eastern parts of the province.
The UVB sunburn index is expected to reach extreme levels, making sun protection particularly important.
Light to moderate northerly to north-easterly winds are expected along the coast, becoming fresh in the north during the afternoon.
Residents urged to take precautions
With high temperatures expected across several provinces, residents are advised to stay hydrated, limit strenuous outdoor activities during the hottest parts of the day and take precautions against sunburn.
Those in areas under extremely high fire danger warnings should avoid activities that could start veld fires and remain alert to changing conditions.
IOL News
Wendy Dondolo
iol.co.za