As temperatures soared to a record 42°C in Cape Town yesterday, residents searched for relief in air-conditioned buildings, at the beach and in swimming pools.
"It has been the warmest day for Cape Town and surrounding areas ever," said Henning Grobler, forecaster at the Cape Town Weather Office based at Cape Town International Airport.
The website timeanddate.com also made the Mother City the world's hottest city yesterday.
According to Grobler:
- It was 42°C at the airport, breaking the previous record of 41.3°C in 1957;
- In the CBD the temperature was 39.8°C, equalling the 2001 record;
- Robben Island reported 40.8°C, breaking the record high of 36.4°C in 1993;
- Atlantis hit 43.2°C, breaking the record of 41.2°C in 1979; and
- The mercury hit 42.3°C in Stellenbosch, breaking the 1935 record of 41.5°C.
The mid-20s are on the cards for today, and there's even a 30% chance of a few spots of rain this morning.
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