Met Department warns of high temperatures

THE Meteorological Services Department (MSD) has warned of a heatwave with isolated thunderstorms expected in Matabeleland provinces and parts of Bulawayo today.

In a statement yesterday, the department attributed the high temperatures to Tropical Cyclone Ava which is moving off the southeast of Madagascar.

"Tropical Cyclone Ava is moving off the southeast of Madagascar and continues to dry out Zimbabwe and much of the Sadc region. However, moisture is expected to gradually move into Zimbabwe from Botswana through Matabeleland North and Matabeleland South Provinces by Monday January 8, 2018.

"As such, we expect very hot conditions with isolated thunderstorms over both Matabeleland Provinces and parts of Bulawayo Metropolitan Province. The remainder of the country should be dry and very hot," said the department.

The MSD urged members of the public to take adequate amounts of water to prevent dehydration and put on wide brimmed hats when working in the open.

The department said it will continue monitoring the conditions and update the public accordingly.

Meanwhile, the South African Weather Service warned of a heatwave yesterday, saying some parts of that country were expected to experience highs of more than 40 degrees.

A heatwave struck parts of the Northern Cape, Free State, North West, Limpopo, Mpumalanga and Gauteng on Saturday due to the high-pressure system.

The weather service said while the extreme weather conditions are expected to continue today, a cold front from the west is expected to relieve some parts of the country as from tomorrow.

The MSD last year indicated that Zimbabwe is expected to receive normal rains during the 2017/18 season, with southern parts of the country expected to receive normal to below normal rains.