HOT weather conditions experienced in most parts of the country yesterday are normal, the Meteorological Services Department (MSD) has said.

The MSD said the temperatures were not outside the historical averages for any given area and they are likely to fall during the next few days as rainfall is expected.  Yesterday, Bulawayo temperatures ranged from 30 to 33 degrees.

In a statement, the MSD said members of the public should avoid staying in the sun between 11AM and 3PM when it is hot.

“Today was hot and humid over much of the country, however, no record-breaking temperatures have occurred meaning we do not have heat waves. By definition a heat wave is a period of unusually hot weather, outside the historical averages for a given area that typically lasts three or more days,” the MSD said.

For today, it predicted isolated afternoon thundershowers in some areas.

“It should be hot and humid in most areas to the north of the main watershed, namely northern parts of the Midlands (from Kwekwe to Gokwe), Harare Metropolitan and all Mashonaland Provinces. Areas to the south of the main watershed (southern areas of the Midlands – Gweru to Mberengwa), Bulawayo Metropolitan. Matabeleland South, Masvingo, Manicaland are anticipated to be mostly cloudy, windy and mild,” it said.

Meanwhile, Bulawayo residents said temperatures had been unbearable.  Ms Mercy Mpala said for the past few days she has been drinking more than 3 litres of water during the day just to keep up with the heat.

“These high temperatures are so unbearable and could be the reason why our babies have been catching flu while others are just dizzy due to dehydration. For the past three days I have been sleeping with windows open just to have enough air although that exposes us to mosquitos,” she said.

“I have never drank so much water in my life just to stay cool and hydrated. We hope that it rains soon because we cannot continue in this heat, it is too much.” — thamamoe