Warnings from the South African Weather Service (SAWS) remain in place for the remainder of the week as heatwave conditions are expected to persist for Newcastle and the rest of KwaZulu-Natal.
With the Discomfort Index reaching a scorching 42 degrees Celsius today, residents are urged to stay hydrated and protect themselves from the sun.
According to accuweather.com , the mercury for Newcastle will reach 38 degrees Celsius on Tuesday 10 December, which poses a danger of dehydration and heatstroke if outside for extended periods of time
Wednesday ,11 December will see the temperature remaining the same with no chance of rain. Caution is advised if outside for long periods of time.
Thusrday ,12 December might see some relief with a 40% chance of an afternoon thunderstorm, however, the temperature for the day will still be a very hot 37 degrees Celsius.
Friday ,13 December will also bring a chance of an afternoon thunderstorm but the mercury will persist at 38 degrees Celsius.
Saturday, 14 December will be slightly cooler with a temperature of 31 degrees Celsius. Not as hot with sun and clouds and an afternoon thunderstorm.
Feeling the heat? Here are some tips on how to keep cool during the next few days:
Wear loose ,lightweight , light-colored clothing.
Use your oven less to help reduce the temperature in your home.
If you have to be outside, find shade.
Drink plenty of fluids and find stay hydrated.
Avoid alcohol, tea, coffee and carbonated drinks which dehydrates the body.
With these tips in mind, it’s worth considering that domestic animals do not have the luxury of being able to say when they are feeling hot.
Give pets plenty of fresh, clean water as they are prone to overheating as temperatures rise and bring them inside during periods of extreme heat.
Never leave your pet in a parked car, even for a short period of time.
Provide damp towels or a cooling mat for them to lie on to cool off.
What will you be doing to stay cool? Leave a comment and a tip!