Met Dept warns of heatwave

Zim Now Writer

The Meteorological Services Department yesterday warned the public to guard against a heatwave that is expected to subsist from today until March 12.

Temperatures are expected to shoot as high up as 41 degrees, although some isolated thundershowers are expected this week.

In a statement, the Met Department urged people to stay hydrated as the heatwave, which is expected to affect the whole country could cause health-related complications, including sudden death for vulnerable citizens.

Very hot to extremely hot temperatures, ranging between 36 degrees to 41 degrees Celsius are expected as the result of a persistent northerly air mass.

“These extremely hot conditions are caused by a combination of factors, such as the persistent northerly air mass or wind flow that originates from the low-pressure system at the surface of the atmosphere and a high-pressure system at upper levels with a strong subsiding motion that prevents the heat energy from escaping into the outer atmosphere,” said the MSD.

“In addition to these uncomfortably and unbearably hot conditions, thundershowers are expected to occur over some areas of the country.”

MSD, which said it would keep monitoring the significant increase in temperatures and provide updates, advised the public to drink more water or any hydrating fluids, avoid prolonged stays under the sun, stay in the shade and wear wide-brimmed hats or use umbrellas.

Yesterday, light-isolated thundershowers were experienced in the northern parts of Mashonaland West, Mashonaland Central and the northern districts of Mashonaland East under partly cloudy and hot conditions due to the continued moisture influx from the north.

“Mashonaland West, northern parts of Midlands and Harare Metropolitan Provinces also received some very light afternoon showers under partly cloudy to cloudy conditions with warm to hot temperatures,” said the department.

“Matabeleland North, Mashonaland West and Bulawayo Metropolitan started mostly sunny and mild in the morning becoming partly cloudy and hot in the afternoon.”

Scattered thundershowers were expected this week in all Mashonaland provinces, Harare Metropolitan and the northern parts of Manicaland Province under partly cloudy and hot afternoon conditions.

The MSD also encouraged farmers to increase irrigation and ensure animals had proper shade and ventilation.

The showers, which fell after a prolonged dry spell of over a month, had revived farmers’ hopes, as maize crop in some areas is expected to recover.