The Seasonal Climate Watch for January to May 2016 expects higher-than-normal temperatures over most of the country during the remainder of the summer season, with below-normal minimum temperatures anticipated for the south western parts of South Africa.
The persisting extreme dry and warm conditions are expected to reach a peak during late summer/early autumn. This would exacerbate the impact of the current drought over most of SA, according to a Climate Watch statement.
The extreme conditions are expected to start weakening during autumn and early winter, with some possibility of above-normal rainfall for parts of the eastern half of the country in late summer and in autumn.
The SA Weather Service also warned severe heat waves were expected over most parts of South Africa in the first week of January. Temperatures exceeding 40°C were forecast for parts of the Northern Cape.
Cooler temperatures are expected by Thursday evening.
