GARDEN ROUTE | KAROO NEWS - The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has warned that very hot to extremely hot and uncomfortable conditions are expected in places over the Central and Little Karoo district municipalities today.
Oudtshoorn is forecast to reach 40°C, while Riversdale could see a maximum of 35°C and Knysna around 28°C.
The sharp contrast between Friday's heat and the weekend outlook means residents and visitors should prepare for changing conditions, particularly those travelling between inland and coastal areas.
Klein Karoo faces intense heat
Oudtshoorn is expected to experience the highest temperatures among the towns highlighted in the forecast, with the mercury potentially reaching 40°C.
Riversdale is also forecast to have a hot day, with temperatures reaching around 35°C.
Residents should take precautions against the heat, including drinking enough water, limiting strenuous outdoor activities during the hottest part of the day and ensuring that children and older people remain cool.
The weather service's warning highlights the risk of uncomfortable conditions in parts of the Central and Little Karoo.
Garden Route coast warms before a cooler weekend
Along the coast, Mossel Bay and Knysna are expected to experience warmer conditions on Friday before temperatures fall over the weekend.
Mossel Bay could reach approximately 25°C today, while Knysna's maximum is forecast at around 28°C. Plettenberg Bay is expected to reach about 27°C.
However, the warmer conditions are not expected to last. Forecasts indicate that cloud cover will increase and showers could develop along parts of the coast on Saturday, with a greater chance of rain in several areas by Sunday.
George could drop to 15°C by Sunday
George is expected to reach around 20°C on Saturday, with temperatures dropping further to approximately 15°C on Sunday, according to the supplied SAWS forecast.
The outlook for Mossel Bay also points to a cooler Saturday, with a maximum of around 19°C, followed by a Sunday maximum of about 15°C. Rain is possible on both days.
In Knysna, temperatures could fall from around 30°C on Friday to approximately 20°C on Saturday, with further cooling and rain expected on Sunday. Plettenberg Bay is forecast to reach around 22°C on Saturday and 18°C on Sunday, with showers possible.
These changes could affect plans for beach visits, outdoor events and travel along the N2.
Conditions may vary from town to town, so residents and visitors should check updated local forecasts before heading out.
Fire danger remains a concern
The hot conditions come as SAWS has also warned of extremely high fire danger in parts of the Western Cape, including eastern areas of the province.
Dry, hot and windy weather can increase the risk of veld fires and allow fires to spread rapidly. Residents should avoid activities that could start fires and report smoke or fires to emergency services.
With temperatures ranging from 40°C in Oudtshoorn to much cooler conditions along the coast by Sunday, the weekend forecast highlights how quickly weather conditions can change across the Garden Route, Klein Karoo and Karoo.
Residents are advised to monitor the latest SAWS forecasts and warnings as the weekend progresses.
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