The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has issued a heatwave warning for some parts of Gauteng. The warning is effective from Thursday to Sunday, when various regions of the province will experience high temperatures. Some areas will see the mercury rise to the high 30s.
The weather forecaster Luthando Masinini explained that the heatwave is caused by a high-pressure system in the atmosphere that increases the surface temperature.
“The heat wave is defined by high temperatures that are five degrees above the average for the region. That is why temperatures have been very high since yesterday and will continue over the weekend. However, there is a slight chance that Sunday will have a small drop in temperature.
This is not the first heatwave warning this week. On Wednesday, SAWS also warned that consistently high temperatures are expected from Wednesday to Friday.
The heatwave conditions will also affect the eastern parts of the Free State, the North-West, and the Eastern Cape, as well as the southern parts of Gauteng, Alfred Nzo, and OR Tambo District Municipality from 04–06 October 2023.
SAWS advised people to avoid prolonged exposure to the midday sun, seek shade, and stay hydrated. The weather service also warned of extremely high fire danger conditions over Northern Cape, western and northern parts of North-West, Western Bushveld of Limpopo, Amajuba Local Municipality of KwaZulu-Natal, and Joe Gqabi District Municipality and Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality of Eastern Cape.