Heatwave: Cape Town residents urged to stay indoors as temperatures to soar past 40°C

The City of Cape Town has urged residents to stay out of the sun and take precautions this week. Photo: iStock The City of Cape Town has urged residents to stay out of the sun and take precautions this week. The South African Weather Service (Saws) issued a heat advisory for the metropolis and surrounding areas between Monday and Friday.

According to the Saws, the western and south-western parts of the country can expect very hot to extremely hot temperatures, resulting in heatwave conditions. “Heatwave conditions are characterised by prolonged periods (at least three consecutive days or more) of temperatures exceeding the average of the hottest month by 5°C or more,” the Saws said. “The heatwave conditions are anticipated due to the presence of a strong, slow-moving high-pressure system in the upper levels of the atmosphere.

The air in upper-air high-pressure systems sinks and warms as it descends, leading to higher temperatures at the surface. The system will be accompanied by offshore wind flow along the western coastline of South Africa.” The Saws said very hot to extremely hot temperatures (36°C to 42°C) are expected across the coastal areas and adjacent interior of the Northern Cape and the western parts of the Western Cape, from Monday. It said the highest temperatures will occur on Tuesday and Wednesday over the western parts of both the Northern Cape and Western Cape.

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The heatwave will then spread to parts of the Central and Little Karoo on Tuesday. City of Cape Town Disaster Risk Management Centre spokesperson Sonica Lategan has reminded the public to be mindful of the forecast and the potential heat-related impacts – particularly for vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly and infirm, and pets. “Where possible, stay out of direct sunlight, drink plenty of water, use sunscreen and wear a hat where possible, if you must be out and about. Also, wear light clothing and seek out shaded areas or areas with air-conditioning,” Lategan said.

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