Heatwave latest: A new SA temperature record has been smashed!
History has been made in this part of Mzansi - and with the heatwave intensifying, more temperature records are set to fall this week.
Well, we did tell you it was HOT out there. The heatwave currently gripping northern and eastern regions in South Africa has left millions of us flustered, amid a flurry of health and weather warnings. Consequently, a new temperature record has also been smashed this week.
How long will the heatwave last?
Malale in Limpopo recorded a scorching temperature of 40.4C on Monday, and was one of several locations that managed to soar above of the thirties. Mpumalanga, KZN, North West, Free State and Gauteng have also been scorched by the extreme conditions.
Heatwave warnings will remain in place right through until Friday 7 October. Some respite is expected over the weekend. Thursday is likely to be the hottest day of the week, with all aforementioned provinces on high alert. In some places, the warmth has been unprecedented.
Where is SA’s new temperature record?
A new temperature record has been set for the town of Newcastle, KZN. As officially confirmed by the SA Weather Service, the mercury reached 37.9C here on Monday 3 October for the first time. This beat the previous record of 37.7C, which was set almost ten years ago to the day.
More temperature records are likely to tumble before the end of the week, too. It takes roughly 48 hours to verify such readings, and with Tuesday being a warmer day than Monday, we might bear witness even more historic highs tomorrow.
Regions ‘at the mercy’ of heatwave nightmare
Meanwhile, SAWS have warned about ‘extremely uncomfortable conditions’ in the days ahead. The heatwave is set to persist until at least Friday, affecting urban conurbations, highvelds, and bushvelds along the way. Stay safe out there, everybody…
“It’s slightly cooler on Wednesday, but heatwave conditions will persist in Gauteng, central and eastern North West, Highveld of Mpumalanga, south-western Bushveld of Limpopo and the northern Free State until Friday.”
“Hot and humid weather will lead to extremely uncomfortable conditions in Limpopo and Mpumalanga on Thursday.” | SA Weather Service