Zululanders brace for scorching summer temperatures

Richards Bay faces 37°C temperatures as summer heat grips Zululand this weekend; residents urged to take precautions and prioritise water safety.

51 minutes ago

Tamlyn Cramer 1 minute read

Hot weather to persist until the weekend PHOTO: Pixabay/Pexels

Zululanders are in for an early summer scorcher, starting today (Thursday) with a sweltering 37 degrees Celsius in Richards Bay.

These temperatures will continue into the weekend for the Bay, with 36 degrees tomorrow, and back up to 37 on Saturday, dropping to a slightly more manageable 33 degrees on Sunday and a comfortable 27 for the start of the new week.

Elsewhere in the region, Empangeni residents are in for 34 degrees today, 37 tomorrow, dipping to 32 degrees on Saturday and Sunday.

Meanwhile, things are slightly more manageable in Mtubatuba, whose residents can expect 30 and 29 degrees Celsius today and tomorrow respectively, and 30 degrees on Saturday, dipping to 27 on Sunday.

Temperatures rise in Hluhluwe, however, with 36 degrees today, 35 tomorrow, 36 again on Saturday, dropping to a far more comfortable 29 degrees and partly cloudy on Sunday.

eShowe gets it slightly easier, with 31 degrees today and Saturday, 34 tomorrow, 29 on Sunday, while Monday is forecast to be a cool and wet 22 degrees.

Water safety

Those heading to the beach, a local swimming pool or any other body of water to cool off this weekend, are urged to stay safe.

When swimming at the beach, be sure to swim only where lifeguards are on duty, and only in their designated swimming areas.

Do not swim once lifeguards have knocked off for the evening or at beaches where there are no lifeguards.

Respect the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) pink buoy – it is not a fun flotation toy, it’s a life-saving device.

Use it only in the event of an emergency in the water and put it back on its pole once it’s no longer needed.

Do not swim after drinking alcohol; do not leave children in charge of other children at the beach or pool; keep a constant watch over children who are swimming; remember to apply sunscreen and wear a hat so as to avoid heat exhaustion or heatstroke.

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