Heatwave
[WARNING] Wellington may record hottest temperature on the planet this weekend
If you’re anywhere near the Boland this weekend, take care – a life-threatening heatwave has arrived.
The NSRI is appealing to the public to only swim at beaches where there are lifeguards.
Portugal is the latest European nation to face extreme weather and fierce fires, which climate scientists warn will become increasingly common due to man-made global warming.
The blistering temperature was recorded near Syracuse, beating Italy's all-time record of 48.5 degrees, set in Sicily in 1999, and the 1977 record of 48 degrees at Eleusis in Greece.
The US National Weather Service (NWS) had warned of a dangerous heatwave and said temperature records would likely be broken over the weekend, forecasting highs of 125-130 degrees Fahrenheit (52-54 Celsius) in California's Death Valley, often the hottest place in the country.
Daily temperatures averaged 10.6 Celsius (51.1 Fahrenheit) -- 1.9C above average despite a cold snap late in the month, the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) said.
The latest figures came after Finland's national meteorological institute registered its hottest temperature for June since records began in 1844.
Several provinces, including Gauteng, are battling scorching temperatures - with the mercury reaching 37 degrees in some cities.
The Bureau of Meteorology said the new nationally averaged maximum was reached Wednesday, topping the 40.9 degrees hit Tuesday, which beat the previous record of 40.3 C in January 2013.
The World Meterological Organization said global temperatures so far this year were 1.1°C above the pre-industrial average between 1850-1900.
The South African Weather Service has issued a warning for heatwave conditions with extreme temperatures expected from Thursday until Sunday.
Extreme temperatures were expected from Thursday until Sunday.
The South African Weather Service said temperatures were likely to peak from Wednesday with the mercury expected to hit 40°C in some areas.
Meanwhile, over 200 people have been displaced after a fire in Daspoort, west of Pretoria
The Department of Water and Sanitation on Monday said the hot weather combined with a lack of rain in Gauteng was contributing to the rapid decline in the level of the Vaal Dam.
The South African Weather Service said Monday was the hottest day of the week, with temperatures in parts of Mpumalanga and Limpopo having reached highs of 42 degrees.
The weather service said the first heatwave is expected from Saturday with temperatures predicted to reach highs of 37°C.
Gauteng and other parts of the country were experiencing heatwave conditions with temperatures likely to peak at around 37 degrees this weekend.
Some businesses cannot afford backup generators and remain at the mercy of the power cuts.