- The West Coast district is expected to be the hottest area in the Western Cape.
- The City of Cape Town warned residents to consider indoor activities over water-intensive outdoor activities.
- The heat will cause "extremely high fire conditions".
Extremely hot weather, reaching up to 44 degrees Celsius, is expected in parts of the Western Cape this weekend, according to the South African Weather Service (SAWS).
The heatwave was expected over the Western Cape and Northern Cape.
SAWS forecaster Surprise Mhlongo told News24 extremely hot weather conditions were expected in the Little Karoo, the interior of the West Coast, the Cape Winelands and the Central Karoo districts of the Western Cape this weekend.
"Maximum temperatures in most areas within the province are expected to reach the high 30s to low 40s in degrees Celsius. The West Coast district is expected to be the hottest area, with Redelinghuys expected to reach a maximum temperature of 44 degrees Celsius tomorrow," Mhlongo added.
??A strong upper air high pressure system will result in a sunny and drier end to the week and weekend for South Africa with extremely hot temperatures expected over the Western and Northern Cape provinces.
— SA Weather Service (@SAWeatherServic) January 18, 2022
Mhlongo said there will be an extremely high fire danger.
"These are hot temperatures, dry conditions and strong winds that could result in the development of runaway and veld or bush fires, that are expected in places over the Little Karoo region, West Coast, Cape Winelands, Central Karoo, and the Overberg districts tomorrow (Saturday)."
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The City of Cape Town warned residents to consider indoor activities over water-intensive outdoor activities, and to be water-wise at all times during the heatwave.
"The country is currently experiencing a chlorine supply shortage, specifically of the liquid gas chlorine used by water boards and municipalities to treat water to drinking standards," said the City's mayoral committee member for water and sanitation Zahid Badroodien.
"While Cape Town has contingency plans to ensure chlorine is available to meet the national SANS241 drinking water quality standards at all times, the public can help us by reducing their non-essential water usage collectively to about the 800ml/day range to ensure there is a sustainable supply of chlorine to treat drinking water throughout the national supply shortage."
He assured residents that Cape Town currently had chlorine supply at all water treatment plants, was taking delivery of further stock, and that tap water remained safe to drink.
The City added that it did not have a water shortage issue.
Badroodien called on residents and businesses to work together to help reduce water usage and help the City through the national chlorine shortage.
Cape Town's overall water usage should drop to approximately 800 million litres per day, according to current estimates.
