The main purpose of this ongoing blog will be to track planetary extreme, or record temperatures related to climate change. Any reports I see of ETs will be listed below the main topic of the day. I’ll refer to extreme or record temperatures as ETs (not extraterrestrials).😉
Main Topic: Historic Heatwave Strikes Africa
Dear Diary. Heatwaves are popping up around the globe more frequently as the world approaches average global temperatures of +1.5°C above preindustrial conditions. The latest anomalous heat dome of note was centered over South Africa this week:
I posted many of weather historian Maximilliano Herrerra’s record temperature notes concerning Africa yesterday:
Here are his latest reports:
Heatwaves such as this will only grow worse due to our long-term burning of fossil fuels for power.
Here are a couple of short reports from South Africa about their latest heatwave:
Severe heat wave hits South Africa (bignewsnetwork.com)
Severe heat wave hits South Africa
Xinhua
12th March 2024, 03:05 GMT+11
JOHANNESBURG, March 11 (Xinhua) — South Africa is currently experiencing a severe heatwave, with temperatures expected to rise as high as 40 degrees Celsius in some parts of the country, the South African Weather Service (SAWS) said on Monday.
A heatwave warning has been issued for several provinces, including the Northern Cape, the Eastern Cape, North West, Gauteng, Free State and Limpopo provinces. In some areas of the Northern Cape, temperatures are expected to peak at 42 degrees Celsius between Tuesday and Wednesday, said SAWS forecaster Lehlohonolo Thobela.
The severe heatwave, which started on Friday due to the rise in high pressure, is expected to end in the Free State, Eastern Cape and North West provinces on Tuesday and will improve on Wednesday in Gauteng and Limpopo provinces, Thobela told Xinhua.
“We encourage people to stay away from direct contact with the sun and those traveling to drink lots of water. People should limit some outdoor activities when hot and wear appropriate clothing to protect themselves,” said Thobela.
Gauteng residents warned to brace for another scorching heatwave (citizen.co.za)
Scorching heatwave hell to stay with us until Tuesday
The mercury is expected to hit the high thirties in some areas.
By Faizel Patel Senior Digital Journalist
9 Mar 2024
Saws said the heatwave will also affect other provinces. Image: iStock
Gauteng residents have been warned to brace for yet another heatwave expected to hit the province until next week.
The country has been sweltering in heatwave weather conditions for the past week and it set to continue from Saturday.
Alert
According to regional weather service Gauteng Weather who shared the details on X, the temperatures are once again expected to be in the high thirties.
“Alert: the SA Weather Service (Saws) has issued a heatwave advisory for Gauteng, with persistently high temperatures expected until at least Tuesday,” it wrote on the social media platform.
Saws said the heatwave will also affect other provinces.
“A heatwave with persistently high temperatures is expected in places over the escarpment and Lowveld of Limpopo until Saturday, as well as over the central and eastern parts of the Free State and the North West, Gauteng, and over the central and eastern parts of the Northern Cape until Tuesday.”
ALSO READ: What to eat and drink during a heatwave
Heatwave
The mercury is expected to hit the high thirties in some areas. Temperatures in Johannesburg are forecast to start off at a minimum of 17°C reaching a high of 32°C.
Pretoria is also expected to be hot with scorching temperatures starting with a minimum of 19°C and reaching a high of 35°C
Pretoria is also expected to be hot with scorching temperatures starting with a minimum of 19°C and reaching a high of 35°C
Vereeniging is expected to see the mercury start at a minimum of 14°C and reaching a high of 32°C.
Saws also warned of high fire dangers.
“Extreme high fire danger conditions are expected in places over the Northern Cape, the central and western part of the Free State, and in places over the North West.”
Precautions
Residents have been urged to exercise extreme caution during the heatwave conditions by staying indoors and keeping hydrated.
The heatwave is also expected to put pressure the electricity grid as people use fans and aircons to keep cool.
Water supply is also expected to remain constrained after residents struggled with no access to water all week after the Eikenhof pump station, needed repairs.
Here are more “ET’s” recorded from around the planet the last couple of days, their consequences, and some extreme temperature outlooks, as well as any extreme precipitation reports:
Here is more brand-new February 2024 climatology:
Here is More Climate News from Tuesday:
(As usual, this will be a fluid post in which more information gets added during the day as it crosses my radar, crediting all who have put it on-line. Items will be archived on this site for posterity. In most instances click on the pictures of each tweet to see each article. The most noteworthy items will be listed first.)