Heatwave warning for parts of SA

Blistering hot weather is in store for the next few days with a heatwave warning being issued on Monday.

Johannesburg Emergency Management Services said it had noted a warning from the South African Weather Service that most parts of Gauteng would experience "persistent high temperatures from Monday until Saturday going into the weekend with temperatures persistently high to over 36˚C".

Most Johannesburgers would be exposed to extremely hot temperatures which could lead to heat cramps, exhaustion or heat stroke, the city warned on Monday.

The weather service issued a warning for "extremely high fire danger" in parts of the North West, Free State, central Karoo, the interior of the Garden Route and Northern Cape. Hot conditions will also be experienced in parts of the Eastern Cape.

Bloemfontein in the Free State was expected to reach 36˚C, Taung in North West 38˚C, Upington in the Northern Cape 42˚C and Beaufort West in the Western Cape 42˚C  on Monday. Johannesburg’s high was expected to be 32˚C.

"Stay indoors in a cool room near a fan if possible. The old and infirm must take extra care to stay hydrated and cool," said the weather service.

Johannesburg Emergency Management Services offered some words of advice on how to keep your cool over the next few days:

• Keep indoors if possible and keep cool by taking lots of fluids and wearing light clothing
• Protect young children by wearing hats and using sunscreen
• Stay away from direct sunlight, especially between 11am and 3pm
• Cool yourself by visiting a municipal swimming pool with life guards on duty
• Avoid alcoholic, caffeinated or carbonated drinks
• Swimming pools should be covered with a safety net when not in use

Here's your five-day weather forecast for Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban, Cape Town and Port Elizabeth: