Another hot day is expected in South Africa on Friday as temperatures will rise in many inland provinces, while the eastern part of the country faces isolated precipitation and rain.
The South African Weather Service forecasts hot or very hot conditions in Limpopo, with a heatwave expected to persist in the western part of the Bushveld province. Hot weather is also predicted in Gauteng and the North West province, while rain is expected in parts of Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal, and the Eastern Cape.
The service has not issued impact-based warnings for Friday, but it has warned of extremely high fire risk conditions in the local municipalities of Mahikeng and Ratlaue in the North West province.
Rain threatens eastern provinces
The service's precipitation forecast indicates a 30% chance of isolated rains over parts of the eastern and northeastern regions, and the rainfall map shows potential rain zones along sections of the eastern coast.
Mpumalanga is expected to have variable cloudiness in its eastern districts, while the rest of the province will be clear and cool or warm. Isolated light rains and precipitation are forecast along the escarpment.
Limpopo will be partly cloudy and hot or very hot, with isolated light rains and precipitation along the escarpment; the southwestern parts of the province are expected to remain clear.
KwaZulu-Natal is forecast to have cloudy and warm weather with isolated rains and precipitation. Morning fog is expected over the inland areas, and moderate south or southeast winds are forecast along the coast.
The western half of the Eastern Cape will be partly cloudy and cool, with isolated rains and precipitation along the eastern coast. The eastern half will be cloudy and cool, with isolated rains and precipitation south of the escarpment.
Heat will persist in inland provinces
Gauteng is expected to experience clear and warm or hot weather, while the North West province will be clear and hot.
Free State will also be clear and warm or hot, although patches of morning fog are expected in the far eastern parts of the province.
Consistently high temperatures are expected to persist in some parts of the Western Bushveld in Limpopo, prompting the service to issue a heatwave warning. Residents are strongly advised to take precautions against the heat, especially during the hottest hours of the day.
Northern and Western Cape will remain mostly dry
The Northern Cape is expected to have clear and warm or hot weather, although conditions will be cool in the far southern region. Patches of morning fog are forecast in the far southeastern parts of the province.
An increase in moderate or fresh south or southeast winds is expected along the coast in the afternoon.
The Western Cape will be partly cloudy over the southern and eastern districts in the morning, becoming clear elsewhere. Temperatures will be cool or warm, with hot weather expected in the northern parts of the West Coast district.
The weather service forecasts a very high UV index for the Western Cape, while Gauteng is expected to have a high index. The index for KwaZulu-Natal is forecast to be moderate.
Fire danger warning for parts of the North West
Despite the absence of impact-based warnings, the weather service has warned that conditions of extremely high fire danger are expected in the local municipalities of Mahikeng and Ratlaue. Residents in these areas should exercise caution when using open fires and avoid activities that could trigger wildfires.