MEDIA RELEASE

29 November 2016
Heat wave conditions over north-eastern parts of South Africa
Heat wave conditions are currently being experienced over the following areas:
Gauteng
Northern and eastern parts of Northern Cape
North West
Free State
Lowveld of Limpopo and Mpumalanga, as well as the
Western Bushveld and southern parts of Limpopo.
This is expected to persist until Thursday, 01 December, and up to Friday, 02 December in places in the Free
State and North West provinces. Maximum temperatures in these places are expected to be in the mid to
high 30Cs in places in the affected and low 40 Cs in the Northern Cape Province and the Western Bushveld
and Limpopo valley of the Limpopo Province. Table 1 below contains some recorded for today, 01 December,
as well as the forecast temperatures for select stations for the period 29th to 02 December 2016.
Temps to be Actual
Forecast
Forecast
Forecast
reached for
Maximum
Maximum
Maximum
Maximum
Station Name
3+ days for
temperature 29 temperature 30 temperature1
temperature 2
Heat
Nov (C)
Nov (C)
Dec (C)
Dec (C)
wave
Pretoria
34
35
36
38
34
Johannesburg
32
32
33
35
28
Vereeniging
33
33
34
36
32
28Lephalale
38
39
38
40
37
Polokwane
33
33
33
35
28
Upington
41
41
42
41
43
Rustenburg
35
36
35
36
35
Mafikeng
35
36
36
37
37
Vryburg
37
40
38
39
38
Bloemfontein
35
37
36
35
37
Table 1: Recorded and forecast maximum temperatures for select stations in Gauteng, Limpopo,
Northern Cape, North West and Free State

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COR-MEDREL-009.2
Medrel29Nov2016 page 1/3

What is a heat wave?

A heat wave is a prolonged period of excessive heat. Technically, a heat wave occurs when temperatures for a
specific place/town are 5C or more above the average of the hottest month of that place, and that carries on
for 3 days or more.
What is the cause of this particular heat wave?
A strong upper-air high pressure system is currently over the northern and north-eastern parts of the country,
resulting in sunny, dry and hot weather.
Are heat waves unusual?
Heatwaves in South Africa are not unusual during the spring and summer seasons. We will only be able to
determine if any records were broken (in terms of maximum temperatures) after the heatwave has passed.
However, with this particular heatwave, it is not likely.
What advice does SAWS give to the affected communities?

Stay indoors in a well-ventilated or air conditioned room

If working outside, wear protective clothing (head-gear, etc) and take breaks at regular
intervals
Avoid playing excessive sports or doing hard labor
Dress in light weight clothes.
Drink plenty of liquids (not alcohol).
Outside playtime for children must be limited or prohibited between 09:00 and 16:00.
Take extra care of the old and infirm.

Outlook for the week:

We are expecting temperatures to start cooling on Thursday evening into Friday as the surface high pressure
ridges in the east behind the cold front, advecting cooler air and moister in the country. Showers and rain are
expected over the eastern and north eastern parts of the country this weekend, providing a slight relief from
the heat.

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(a)

(b)

(c)
Figure 1: Rainfall expected this coming weekend.

The South African Weather Service will continue monitoring the weather developments and will
issue further updates as required.
The public is urged to regularly follow weather forecasts on television and radio. Updated
information can also be found at www.weathersa.co.za as well as via the SA Weather Service twitter
account @SAWeatherServic
Compiled by: Mbavhalelo Maliage.
Edited by: Jacqueline Modika (Senior Forecaster)
For media information:
Ms Hannelee Doubell, Manager: External Communications; Tel 012 367 6104; Cell: 072 222 6305; email:
hannelee.doubell@weathersa.co.za

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