South Africans are bracing for another day of scorching temperatures on Thursday, as a persistent heatwave continues to affect several provinces, while isolated thunderstorms and rainfall are expected in parts of the country.
The South African Weather Service SAWS has warned that extremely hot conditions will persist across Gauteng, North West, Free State, parts of the Northern Cape and Limpopo, with the heatwave expected to continue until Friday.
Despite the intense heat, some areas can expect relief from isolated showers and thundershowers, with rainfall probabilities of 30% forecast for parts of Gauteng, Limpopo, North West, KwaZulu-Natal, the Eastern Cape and the southern coastal regions.
No impact-based severe weather warnings have been issued for Thursday. However, extremely high fire danger conditions remain a concern across several provinces.
Gauteng to experience scorching heat and afternoon thunderstorms
Gauteng residents can expect another hot Thursday, with very hot conditions forecast in northern parts of the province.
The day will begin with fine and hot weather before partly cloudy conditions develop during the afternoon.
Isolated showers and thundershowers are expected in the north, with a 30% chance of rainfall in affected areas, particularly around Pretoria.
SAWS has also warned that the province’s ultraviolet radiation index will be very high, increasing the risk of sunburn during prolonged exposure to the sun.
Limpopo and North West face extreme temperatures
Limpopo will experience partly cloudy and warm to hot conditions, although temperatures are expected to become very hot in the western Bushveld.
Cloudy conditions are forecast over the Lowveld during the morning, while isolated afternoon showers and thundershowers are expected in the south-western parts of the province.
The rainfall chart indicates a 30% chance of rain in affected areas.
North West will remain fine and hot to very hot, with partly cloudy conditions developing in the east.
Isolated afternoon showers and thundershowers are expected in the north-eastern parts of the province, where the chance of rainfall is also 30%.
Free State and Northern Cape remain under intense heat
The Free State will experience fine and hot to very hot conditions, with morning fog patches expected in eastern areas before partly cloudy skies develop during the afternoon.
No significant rainfall is forecast across the province.
In the Northern Cape, cloudy conditions are expected along the coast during the morning, while the rest of the province will experience fine and cool to warm weather.
However, central and eastern areas will remain hot to very hot, with no significant rainfall expected.
Moderate to fresh south-easterly to southerly winds are forecast along the coastline.
KwaZulu-Natal braces for showers and cloudy conditions
KwaZulu-Natal will experience partly cloudy and cool to warm weather, with morning fog expected over the interior.
Cloud cover will increase across eastern parts of the province during the afternoon, bringing isolated showers and rain to several areas.
According to the SAWSt, a 30% chance of rain is expected along parts of the province’s eastern and coastal regions, including areas around Durban and Richards Bay.
The north-western parts of the province are expected to remain dry.
Coastal winds will be light to moderate south-easterly, becoming easterly to north-easterly from the south during the afternoon.
The UVB sunburn index will be moderate.
Western Cape and Eastern Cape to receive light coastal rain
The Western Cape will experience cloudy to partly cloudy and cool to warm conditions, although temperatures will be hot over the Central Karoo.
Light rain is expected in places along the south coast during the morning, with the rainfall chart indicating a 30% chance of rain in affected coastal areas.
Conditions will become fine across western parts of the province and the Central Karoo during the afternoon.
The province’s UVB sunburn index will remain very high.
In the Eastern Cape, partly cloudy to cloudy and cool conditions are forecast in southern areas, with occasional light rain expected along the coast.
The eastern half of the province will also experience light rain along the coastline and adjacent interior, while inland areas will remain generally fine and warm.
The rainfall chart indicates a 30% chance of rain along parts of the Eastern Cape coast, including areas around East London and Gqeberha.
Mpumalanga to remain warm to hot
Mpumalanga will experience cloudy conditions over the Lowveld and escarpment areas during the morning.
The remainder of the province will be partly cloudy and warm to hot, with no significant rainfall forecast.
Extremely high fire danger warnings issued
SAWS has warned of extremely high fire danger conditions across large parts of the country as hot and dry weather continues.
The warning applies to most of the Northern Cape, excluding the south-western and extreme north-western parts, as well as the Matzikama Local Municipality in the Western Cape.
The western parts of the Joe Gqabi District Municipality in the Eastern Cape, the Free State and western parts of North West are also affected.
Residents in these areas are urged to exercise caution with open flames and activities that could spark veld fires.
IOL News
Wendy Dondolo
iol.co.za