(HERALD) Hottest October since 1962: Met Office

Hottest October since 1962: Met Office
Tuesday, 25 October 2011 00:00
Herald Reporter

ZIMBABWE yesterday experienced extremely high temperatures with so-me places recording up to 42 degrees Celsius, breaking the October record of 1962.
Yesterday, the Meteorological Services Department warned the public to be wary of these extreme temperatures and avoid heat stress and ext-reme dehydration.
The highest temperatures were re-corded in Lupane at 42 Degrees Celsius from 41 Degrees Celsius recorded in October 1962.

Rusape and Harare maintained their record of 35 degrees. Plumtree surpassed its October 1962 record of 38 degrees and reco-rded 39 and Tsholotsho had 42 deg-rees up from 39 recorded in 1962. Met Department director Dr Amos Makarau attributed the temperatures to a middle level high pressure centre that developed on Sunday.

The high temperatures, he said, were expected to continue for the next "few" days.
He said the hot weather was a result of high rates of evaporation and exposure to ultra-violet radiation.

"We strongly urge those who carry out outdoor activities to wear hats and stay in shades as much as possible.

"Farmers should carry out their farming activities early and stop by mid-morning," he said.

The weather expert said hot weather favoured mosquito breeding, hence the public should take necessary precautions.

He also urged the nation to take a lot of fluids to avoid dehydration.
Turning to the rainy season, Dr Makarau said although Zimbabwe receives rains in October, effective rains start in November.

"The first week of October saw a wet spell setting from the west."
Widespread moderate rainfall was received across the whole country.

"On the 1st (of October) Chinhoyi and Harare International Airport recorded 28mm and 13mm respectively. Marondera received 38mm, Chivhu 19mm and 13mm at Rusape on October 2," he said.

He said on October 3, Mutoko recorded 30mm, Chipinge 29mm and Lupane 17mm. Dr Makarau said his department would continue monitoring the situation and inform the nation on the latest developments.