Staff Reporter
The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has warned of prolonged heatwave conditions across parts of KwaZulu-Natal, the Eastern Cape and Mpumalanga, with temperatures forecast to approach or exceed 40°C in some areas on Friday and Saturday.
The heatwave is expected to persist until Saturday in parts of the Eastern Cape, Sunday in northern KZN and Monday in much of Mpumalanga.
Extremely high fire danger conditions have also been forecast across seven provinces, while isolated thunderstorms could bring some relief to parts of the central and eastern interior.
KwaZulu-Natal
KZN faces some of the most intense heat, with SAWS warning that persistently high temperatures will continue across northern parts of the province until Sunday, 18 October.
Very hot to extremely hot and uncomfortable conditions are also expected in eastern areas.
Richards Bay is forecast to reach 39°C on Friday, with temperatures potentially climbing to 41°C on Saturday.
Pietermaritzburg is expected to reach 36°C on Friday and 39°C on Saturday, while Newcastle could experience highs of 35°C and 38°C respectively.
Durban is forecast to reach 31°C on Friday before cooling to 27°C on Saturday, when light rain is possible.
SAWS has also warned of extremely high fire danger conditions in northern KZN, particularly in areas around Ladysmith, Estcourt and Hlabisa.
Isolated showers and thundershowers are possible in the extreme northwest of the province.
Eastern Cape
The Eastern Cape remains under a heatwave advisory, with persistently high temperatures expected in parts of the Chris Hani, OR Tambo and Alfred Nzo district municipalities until Saturday, 17 October.
Extremely uncomfortable and humid conditions are also forecast south of the escarpment.
Mthatha is expected to reach approximately 36°C on Friday, while Komani, formerly Queenstown, could reach 33°C.
Temperatures in Komani are forecast to climb to 35°C on Saturday, while Mthatha could remain above 30°C.
Coastal areas will experience milder conditions, with Gqeberha forecast to reach 27°C on Friday before temperatures drop to approximately 19°C on Saturday.
SAWS has also warned of extremely high fire danger conditions across western and central parts of the province, increasing the risk of veld fires.
Mpumalanga
Heatwave conditions are expected to persist across much of Mpumalanga until Monday, 19 October, excluding areas along the escarpment.
Mbombela is forecast to reach 32°C on Friday before climbing to 35°C on Saturday.
Temperatures in eMalahleni and Ermelo are expected to reach approximately 30°C and 31°C respectively on Friday.
SAWS expects warm to hot conditions across the province, with very hot weather in places in the Lowveld.
Isolated afternoon thundershowers are possible over the southwestern Highveld.
Extremely high fire danger conditions have also been forecast for southeastern parts of Mpumalanga.
Western Cape
SAWS has warned of very hot to extremely hot and uncomfortable conditions across parts of the Central and Little Karoo.
Eastern areas of the Western Cape are also under extremely high fire danger warnings.
Despite the heat inland, Cape Town is expected to remain considerably cooler, with a maximum of approximately 20°C on Friday, dropping to 18°C on Saturday.
Rain is forecast in Cape Town on Saturday, while inland areas could remain considerably warmer.
Northern Cape
Extremely high fire danger conditions are forecast across most of the Northern Cape, where hot and largely dry conditions will persist.
Upington is expected to reach approximately 37°C on Friday, while Kimberley is forecast to reach 35°C.
Temperatures in Kimberley could rise to 36°C on Saturday, with showers and thunderstorms possible later in the day.
Springbok and De Aar are forecast to reach around 33°C on Friday.
SAWS has warned that dry conditions and high temperatures will increase the risk of rapidly spreading veld fires.
Limpopo
Hot to very hot conditions are expected across Limpopo, with extremely high fire danger warnings in northern and western areas.
Musina is forecast to reach approximately 36°C on Friday, while Thohoyandou could reach 34°C and Polokwane 31°C.
Polokwane is expected to warm slightly to 32°C on Saturday.
The province will generally experience fine conditions, although isolated afternoon thunderstorms are possible in southwestern areas on Friday.
Free State
The Free State will experience hot conditions, with SAWS warning of extremely high fire danger in western parts of the province.
Bloemfontein is expected to reach 32°C on Friday before climbing to 35°C on Saturday.
Kroonstad could reach approximately 34°C on Friday, while Bethlehem is forecast to reach 31°C.
Isolated afternoon showers and thunderstorms are possible in the extreme east on Friday, with unsettled conditions developing over parts of the province during the weekend.
North West
The North West will remain hot through the weekend, with temperatures forecast to climb into the mid-30s.
Mahikeng is expected to reach 34°C on Friday and 35°C on Saturday.
Rustenburg, Potchefstroom and Klerksdorp are all forecast to reach approximately 33°C on Friday.
SAWS expects fine and hot weather on Friday, becoming partly cloudy, with isolated afternoon showers and thunderstorms possible in the extreme east.
Gauteng
Gauteng is expected to experience warm to hot conditions, with isolated showers and thunderstorms providing some relief from the heat.
Johannesburg is forecast to reach 30°C on Friday and 32°C on Saturday.
Pretoria could reach approximately 31°C on Friday.
SAWS expects partly cloudy conditions on Friday, with isolated showers and thundershowers across the province.
The ultraviolet radiation index is expected to be high, increasing the risk of sunburn during prolonged outdoor exposure.
Public warned to take precautions
SAWS has urged residents in areas affected by extreme heat to take precautions against prolonged exposure to high temperatures.
People are advised to drink sufficient water, avoid strenuous outdoor activities during the hottest part of the day and limit exposure to direct sunlight.
Children, older people and those with existing medical conditions are particularly vulnerable to dehydration and heat-related illnesses.
Residents in areas experiencing extremely high fire danger conditions have also been urged to avoid activities that could ignite veld fires.
The weather service advised the public to monitor updated forecasts and warnings as the heatwave continues through the weekend.
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