News / Local
Extremely high temperature recorded yesterday
25 Oct 2011 at 04:06hrs | Views
ZIMBABWE yesterday experienced extremely high temperatures with some places recording up to 42 degrees Celsius, breaking the October record of 1962.
Yesterday, the Meteorological Services Department warned the public to be wary of these extreme temperatures and avoid heat stress and extreme dehydration, the Herald reported.
The highest temperatures were recorded in Lupane at 42 Degrees Celsius from 41 Degrees Celsius recorded in October 1962.
Plumtree surpassed its October 1962 record of 38 degrees and recorded 39 and Tsholotsho had 42 degrees up from 39 recorded in 1962.
Met Department director Dr Amos Makarau attributed the temperatures to a middle level high pressure centre that developed on Sunday.
The high temperatures, he said, were expected to continue for the next "few" days.
He said the hot weather was a result of high rates of evaporation and exposure to ultra-violet radiation.
The weather expert said hot weather favoured mosquito breeding, hence the public should take necessary precautions.
He also urged the nation to take a lot of fluids to avoid dehydration.
Turning to the rainy season, Dr Makarau said although Zimbabwe receives rains in October, effective rains start in November.
"The first week of October saw a wet spell setting from the west."
Widespread moderate rainfall was received across the whole country.
"On the 1st (of October) Chinhoyi and Harare International Airport recorded 28mm and 13mm respectively. Marondera received 38mm, Chivhu 19mm and 13mm at Rusape on October 2," he said.
He said on October 3, Mutoko recorded 30mm, Chipinge 29mm and Lupane 17mm. Dr Makarau said his department would continue monitoring the situation and inform the nation on the latest developments.
Yesterday, the Meteorological Services Department warned the public to be wary of these extreme temperatures and avoid heat stress and extreme dehydration, the Herald reported.
The highest temperatures were recorded in Lupane at 42 Degrees Celsius from 41 Degrees Celsius recorded in October 1962.
Plumtree surpassed its October 1962 record of 38 degrees and recorded 39 and Tsholotsho had 42 degrees up from 39 recorded in 1962.
Met Department director Dr Amos Makarau attributed the temperatures to a middle level high pressure centre that developed on Sunday.
The high temperatures, he said, were expected to continue for the next "few" days.
He said the hot weather was a result of high rates of evaporation and exposure to ultra-violet radiation.
He also urged the nation to take a lot of fluids to avoid dehydration.
Turning to the rainy season, Dr Makarau said although Zimbabwe receives rains in October, effective rains start in November.
"The first week of October saw a wet spell setting from the west."
Widespread moderate rainfall was received across the whole country.
"On the 1st (of October) Chinhoyi and Harare International Airport recorded 28mm and 13mm respectively. Marondera received 38mm, Chivhu 19mm and 13mm at Rusape on October 2," he said.
He said on October 3, Mutoko recorded 30mm, Chipinge 29mm and Lupane 17mm. Dr Makarau said his department would continue monitoring the situation and inform the nation on the latest developments.
Source - HeraldOnline
