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Today's mercury hovering in the early 30s was just the start, as tomorrow's temperatures are expected to tip towards 41°C and higher. The South African Weather Service has warned that these heatwave conditions will be felt over parts of the Northern Cape and Western Cape until Friday, 13 March.
"The western and south-western parts of South Africa can expect very hot to extremely hot temperatures to return during the coming week (9-13 March 2026), resulting in heat wave conditions. This follows a brief period of cooler weather. Heat wave conditions are characterised by prolonged periods (at least three consecutive days or more) of temperatures exceeding the average of the hottest month by 5°C or more."
"The heat wave conditions are anticipated due to the presence of a strong, slow-moving high-pressure system in the upper levels of the atmosphere. The air in upper-air high-pressure systems sinks and warms as it descends, leading to higher temperatures at the surface. The system will be accompanied by offshore wind flow along the western coastline of South Africa."
The SAWS will continue to monitor this system closely and will issue updates as new information becomes available.
Recommended tips to reduce the risk of heat-related illnesses:
• Stay hydrated by drinking lots of water.
• Limit outdoor activities, especially during the hottest hours (12h00-15h00).
• Wear loose, light-coloured clothing.
• Stay in the shade or in well-ventilated areas as much as possible.
• Keep an eye on vulnerable individuals, especially the elderly and babies.
• Never leave children or animals in parked cars, even for a short time.
• Avoid strenuous physical activity during the hottest part of the day.
If you're needing to cool down - fortunately, we have a list of the best places to do so:
From the cool Atlantic Ocean of Camps Bay, or the easy-access public pools, to the stunning hotel pools like the President Hotel or Radisson Blu in the Waterfront - locals and visitors have endless options on how to beat the heat this week.
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