Gauteng residents warned of heatwave conditions into weekend

With the mercury expected to hit maximums of 34°C or higher from Wednesday and into the weekend, the City of Tshwane Emergency Services Department has urged residents to take extra precautions amid a heatwave in the city.

This comes after the South African Weather Service (Saws) issued a warning for heatwave conditions resulting in persistently high temperatures in places over the Free State, interior of the Eastern Cape, extreme eastern areas of the Northern Cape and  North West Province (except the north-central region) until Thursday.

Warnings

Saws said the scorching weather conditions are also expected over Gauteng and Mpumalanga Highveld where they will persist into the weekend.

The weather service also warned of extremely high fire danger conditions over most  parts of the Northern Cape, western parts of the Free State as well as the south-western parts of the North West.

The heatwave is also likely to put pressure on the electricity grid as Eskom battles to keep the lights on juggling the load shedding schedule between Stage 3 and Stage 4.

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Tshwane Emergency Services spokesperson Charles Mabaso said the heatwave may cause dehydration, heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

“It is forecast that the heatwave will persist into the weekend of 17 February 2024.

“It is against this background that we call on residents to be aware of adverse effects that may be caused by extended exposure to extreme heat weather conditions. The effects may include dehydration, heat exhaustion and, in severe circumstances, heat stroke. Residents are also advised to remain cautious of the increased risk of veld fires during this period,” Mabaso said.

Precautions

Mabaso said residents must stay hydrated by drinking copious amounts of water, among other precautionary measures.

“Limiting outdoor activities [especially during the hottest time of the day], wearing loose clothing and avoiding dark-coloured clothing where possible, remaining in the shade where possible, keeping an eye on vulnerable individuals and ensuring that children or animals are not left in parked vehicles.”

Mabaso also urged residents to avoid strenuous physical activity if possible, “if you must do strenuous activity, do it during the coolest part of the day, which is usually in the morning between 04:00 and 07:00”.

ALSO READ: Weather update: Expect a warm to very hot Wednesday

Provincial weather forecast

Here’s what to expect in your province on Thursday, 14 February

Gauteng:

Residents of Gauteng can anticipate partly cloudy conditions and hot but very hot in places in the north, with isolated showers and thundershowers in the evening.

The region’s expected UVB sunburn index is “extreme.”

Residents should take the necessary precautions against prolonged sun exposure.

Mpumalanga:

Mpumalanga residents can expect morning fog patches over the escarpment and southern highveld, otherwise fine and warm to hot, but very hot weather in the lowveld. It will become partly cloudy with isolated showers and thundershowers in the extreme south-east by the afternoon.

Limpopo:

The day will be fine and hot to very hot, becoming partly cloudy by the afternoon.

North-West province:

A day of fine and hot to very hot conditions awaits the residents of the North West province, becoming partly cloudy and windy with isolated showers and thundershowers over the central and eastern parts in the afternoon.

Free State:

Residents of the Free State will see fine and hot to very hot weather, becoming partly cloudy and windy with isolated showers and thundershowers over the central and eastern parts.

Northern Cape:

There will be fine and windy conditions in places over the interior. It will be hot to very hot but extremely hot over the east.

Western Cape:

Western Cape residents can expect cloudy weather along the south coast, otherwise partly cloudy and cool to warm with isolated showers and rain scattered in the south-west.

The region’s expected UVB sunburn index is “very high.”

Residents should take the necessary precautions against prolonged sun exposure.

Eastern Cape (western half):

Conditions are expected to be partly cloudy and cool to warm, but hot and windy in places in the north with isolated showers and rain, but scattered in places along the coast where it will be cloudy.

Eastern Cape (eastern half):

Residents can look forward to cloudy conditions with morning drizzle in places south of the escarpment, otherwise partly cloudy, windy, and warm, but hot in the north. Isolated showers and thundershowers can be expected in the afternoon, but scattered along the Wild Coast and adjacent interior.

KwaZulu-Natal:

Residents of KwaZulu-Natal can look forward to morning fog in places over the interior, otherwise fine and hot to very hot, becoming partly cloudy with isolated showers and thundershowers, except in the north-east.

The region’s expected UVB sunburn index is “extreme.”

Residents should take the necessary precautions against prolonged sun exposure.