Wendy Dondolo|Published
South Africa is set for another hot day on Friday, with temperatures expected to climb across several inland provinces while isolated showers and rain threaten parts of the eastern half of the country.
The South African Weather Service has forecast hot to very hot conditions in Limpopo, with a heatwave expected to persist in parts of the province’s Western Bushveld. Gauteng and the North West will also experience hot weather, while rainfall is expected in parts of Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape.
The weather service has not issued any impact-based warnings for Friday, but has warned of extremely high fire danger conditions in Mahikeng and Ratlou local municipalities in the North West.
Rain threatens eastern provinces
The weather service’s rainfall forecast indicates a 30% chance of isolated showers over parts of the eastern and north-eastern regions, with the rainfall chart showing areas of potential rain extending along sections of the eastern coastline.
In Mpumalanga, partly cloudy conditions are expected over the eastern parts of the province, while the rest of the province will be fine and cool to warm. Isolated light showers and rain are forecast along the escarpment.
Limpopo will be partly cloudy and hot to very hot, with isolated light showers and rain along the escarpment. The south-western parts of the province are expected to remain fine.
KwaZulu-Natal is forecast to be cloudy and warm, with isolated showers and rain. Morning fog is expected over the interior, while moderate southerly to south-easterly winds are forecast along the coast.
The western half of the Eastern Cape will be partly cloudy and cool, with isolated showers and rain along the east coast. The eastern half will be cloudy and cool, with isolated showers and rain south of the escarpment.
Heat to persist across inland provinces
Gauteng is expected to experience fine and warm to hot conditions, while the North West will be fine and hot.
The Free State will also be fine and warm to hot, although morning fog patches are expected in the extreme eastern parts of the province.
In Limpopo, persistently high temperatures are expected to continue over parts of the Western Bushveld, prompting a heatwave advisory from the weather service.
Residents are urged to take precautions against the heat, particularly during the hottest parts of the day.
Western and Northern Cape to remain mostly dry
The Northern Cape is expected to be fine and warm to hot, although conditions will be cool in the extreme south. Morning fog patches are forecast in the extreme south-eastern parts of the province.
Along the coast, moderate to fresh southerly to south-easterly winds are expected to strengthen during the afternoon.
The Western Cape will be partly cloudy over the southern and eastern parts in the morning, becoming fine elsewhere. Conditions will be cool to warm, with hot weather expected over the northern parts of the West Coast District.
The weather service has forecast a very high UVB sunburn index for the Western Cape, while Gauteng is expected to have a high index. KwaZulu-Natal’s index is forecast to be moderate.
Fire danger warning for parts of North West
Despite the absence of impact-based warnings, the weather service has warned that extremely high fire danger conditions are expected in Mahikeng and Ratlou local municipalities.
Residents in these areas should exercise caution when using open flames and avoid activities that could trigger veld fires.
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