HEATWAVE – these will be the HOTTEST days of the coming week

Weather services have warned that the HEATWAVE conditions are expected to return this week, and it will affect an even broader area.

HEATWAVE CONDITIONS RETURNED ON SUNDAY

THESE DAYS WILL BE THE HOTTEST:

The South African Weather Service (SAWS) said the following days would be the hottest days of the coming week:

• Wednesday
• Thursday
• Friday

According to, VoxWeather, weather monitoring models are indicating that the HEATWAVE conditions are expected to return on Sunday, and it will affect an even broader area.

VoxWeather forecaster Annette Botha explained that a dominating high pressure in the upper levels of the atmosphere is responsible for the extreme heat.

WHAT IS CAUSING THE HEATWAVE?

“The High pressure is drifting south this weekend to the northern areas of South Africa, heating up the Northern Cape, North-West and interior.”

Forecaster Annette Botha

She furthermore said when high pressure sits over an area, it results in the sinking of air through the atmosphere.

“The air compresses and heats up as it sinks. This significantly decreases the chances of convection taking place for thunderstorms to develop.”

WEATHER ADVISORY FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS:

Meanwhile, the South African Weather Service (SAWS) has issued a weather advisory for the following areas:

“A heat wave with persistently high temperatures is expected in the Lowveld of Mpumalanga and Limpopo from Wednesday to Friday.”

SAWS

• Musina
• Thulamela / Thohoyandou
• Collins Chabane / Tshilamba
• Makhado
• Greater Giyani / Giyani
• Greater Tzaneen / Tzaneen
• Ba-Phalaborwa
• Maruleng / Hoedspruit
• Bushbuckridge
• Thaba Chweu / Sabie
• Mbombela – Sabie / Whiteriver / Mbombela
• Nkomazi / Skukuza
• Mbombela – Barberton / Barberton

The SAWS said prolonged exposure to midday sun poses health risks such as dehydration and heatstroke.

“Stay hydrated. Seek shades/shelter. Work early morning and late afternoon, and avoid midday sun exposure.”

THE POTENTIAL IMPACT OF A HEATWAVE INCLUDES:

• Heat stroke.
• Heat cramps.
• Heat exhaustion due to prolonged exposure or physical activities.

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HERE ARE SOME WAYS TO STAY COOL:

• Stay hydrated – When you’re hot and flushed, hydrating yourself is the first and foremost step to cooling down.
• Take a cold shower or bath– Taking a cold shower or bath helps cool your body by lowering your core temperature.
• Use cold washrags on your neck or wrists – Place a cold washrag or ice bags (packs)on your wrists or drape it around your neck to cool your body. These pulse points are areas where blood vessels are close to the skin, so you’ll cool down more quickly.
• Close your curtains or blinds – If you have windows that face the sun’s direction in the morning through afternoon, close the curtains or blinds over them to keep the sun from coming directly into the house and heating the inside.
• Enjoy frozen treats – Eating an ice pop or ice cream to cool down may help for a moment. But don’t go overboard on the sugar if you’re overheated or at risk of being overheated.

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