EXCESSIVE HEAT NOT A HEATWAVE

MBABANE – We are experiencing the summer season in spring.

This was a conclusion made by the Swaziland Meteorological Services Department based on this week’s extremely high temperatures. According to meteorologist Buhle Simelane, these temperatures are not normal for the spring season but would usually be experienced in summer.

The cause for such alarming weather conditions are the dry north westerly winds that will be coming into the country until tomorrow, where temperatures will soar to a whooping 39 degrees Celsius in the Lowveld.

“North westerly winds are dry and hot because the sun is currently in the northern hemisphere and since there is no moisture in the north, the winds hit us directly, hence the increased temperatures,” he said.
However, Simelane said this increase in temperatures could not be construed as a heatwave, but only excessive temperatures beyond normal, especially at this time of the year.

A heatwave is a prolonged period of hot weather; for more than five consecutive days, which exceeds the average maximum temperature by 5 °C.
Worth noting is that these temperatures will be accompanied by strong winds, especially today in the afternoon into tomorrow. 
In this regard, Simelane advised the nation against starting veld fires, especially at places on higher grounds. Swaziland is not the only country experiencing these weather conditions but most of the other countries in the northern part of the continent.

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