High temperatures break 1995 record

Chronicle Reporter
October 13, 2010



THE high temperatures experienced in most parts of the country over the past two days, breaking the October record that has stood since 1995, might result in good rains in most parts of the country including drought-prone areas in Matabeleland.
Experts have already indicated that the country will receive normal to above normal rainfall during this coming farming season.
However, the Meteorological Services Department said the temperatures are expected to drop today.
The highest temperatures recorded on Monday were in Beitbridge that recorded 44,5 degrees Celsius rising from 43,5 recorded in October 1995, Buffalo Range recorded 44,4 up from 42,7 in October 1995.
Maximum temperatures in Bulawayo rose to 38,0 from 37,6 recorded in October 1995. Gweru had 36,3 from 36,2 recorded in October 1995 while Masvingo rose from 38,5 recorded in October 1995 to 38,5.
Wedza went up from 35,6 recorded in October 1954 to 36,2 while West Nicholson rose from 41,9 recorded in October 1995 to 42,8. Zvishavane rose from 40,1 recorded in October 1954 to 41,3.
Yesterday Bulawayo rose to 38,2 while Chinhoyi rose from 37,2 recorded in October 1968 to 37,8. Gweru rose to 36,4 while Kezi went up to 40,8 from 40,2 recorded in October 1962.
Kwekwe, however, maintained the same temperature of 38,1 recorded in October 1954.
Mount Darwin rose to 38,7 from 38,6 recorded in October 1954 while Tsholotsho went up from 39,2 recorded in 1962 to 39,2.
A meteorologist in the Met Department Mr Shingi Mangombe yesterday said the high temperatures were of no great harm but signalled that the country would receive normal to above normal rainfall.
He said the first rains were expected next week.
“As predicted in our seasonal forecast, we expect a normal to above normal rainy season throughout the country. There might be also cases of flash floods in low lying areas like Muzarabani,” said Mr Mangombe.
In a statement on Monday, head of forecast services Mr Tich Zinyemba attributed the high temperatures to very low inland pressure that is assisting in drawing hot and dry tropical winds in the country.
According to the Met Department’s forecasts for today, the temperatures would start going down.
Maximum temperatures for Bulawayo, Harare and Gweru are expected to drop to 32.
In Kwekwe and Kadoma temperatures are also expected to drop to 35 while in Masvingo will fall to 34.

Wow. I've hunted buffalo in Zim in October. Never again.

One year ago today I began the first day of my safari in the Omay. It was hot hot. I wish I was there right now.

44.5C = 112 F

Oct and Nov are the "suicide" months.

I'm leaving November 10 for Zim. Haven't been there before. Does anyone have any hot-weather advice or tips to stay comfortable? I'll be hunting for 10 days.

Any advice will be greatly appreciated!

When you can't sleep, get up and take a cold shower. Chill yourself down good. It works to at least allow you some amount of rest.

Good hunting.

I was in the omay in mid november last year,its was as hot as i have had to endure,baits lasted 2 days then green,
advice.....
drink plenty of water ,15-20 bottles a day,also try and find a small battery operated fan that can be put next to the bed and a spare set of batteries,had a elderly man there who had a fan and he slept like a log,a cold shower works,be careful of a wet towel over your legs,might get flu from that.Under armor clothing that is desighned to keep you cool and sunglasses and a camo or dark green floppy hat to keep the sun off them ears.

I'll let you guys know how it was. Leaving LAX on 25OCT returning 4Nov. I'll be hunting Sengwe 1. I'm taking a large can of powdered Gatorade.

Hopefully, the heat will keep the buff lethargic and close to water.

For those that have been there in Oct/Nov - What's the humidity like along the Limpopo?

for what ever it is worth; my experience in Zim, compared to where we live, St. Thomas; the weather is very mild. temps, while high are really low in humidity, and the elevation is higher by about 2000 ft. So, we find the weather very mild, even the high temps because the humidity is so low. you might find it oppresive, depending upon where you live: we do not.

Tanzania in Dec was the worst for me. 100 degrees and 100% humidity when it wasn't raining....plus everything was uphill!

I just got back. It was 114 degrees in my tent Tuesday afternoon about 2 pm when I was in Mahenye.

Must be across Southern Africa, recorded about the same temps in Namibia the last couple of weeks, cooled down slightly last week but yesterday and today back up to 30-40C

Bwana 91,

I hunted there last Oct/Nov. Take along a battery operated fan for your challet and make sure you take a product called "Chilly Pad" by Frogg Togg. Here is a link: http://www.froggtoggs.com/#cooling/

I'd also recommend taking along plenty of powdered Gatoraide or other rehydrating product you can addd to your bottled water.

hell down here in Texas we call weather like that...THURSDAY! 95 Degrees...welcome to 90% of our weather!

I leave the October 28th and start my hunt in the Omay November 1st! Back in the Omay with Martin Pieters just like last year! The weather was red-hot and so was the hunting! Two buff and whatever is left on quota that JDollar doesn't shoot... sounds like heaven but hot as Hades!

Ha man hot weather hunting.... dont drink a gallon of water if you are thirsty, rather smaller sips of cold water with something like Gatorade or Energade added in to replace electolites.

oh and sleeping arrangements, see what i love doing below - if it is far to hot and no wind to sleep inside anything then sleep outside.



Almostacowboy - good luck see you next week

quote:

Originally posted by Bwana91:
I'm leaving November 10 for Zim. Haven't been there before. Does anyone have any hot-weather advice or tips to stay comfortable? I'll be hunting for 10 days.

Any advice will be greatly appreciated!

simple way to stay cool....pop into mine, have several cold beverages and relax by the pool. Always seems to work for me.....but the scantily clad ladies always seem to push the temps back up again.....darn ....time for another swim

Just got back from Zim last night.. Shot my buff on that day.. It was a recorded 48 degrees C on the day..

It was WARM!!! But hey, it beat a day at work!

On a side note, after that blistering day, it dropped to 15 degrees C the next morn. It was rainy and cool for the next two.

Thanks for all the great advice! I am bringing a battery-operated fan. I have the Chilly-pad. I have a bunch of Rehydration salts.

I am booked in at the Harrison House for the night of November 11th. Then I catch a charter flight to Martin Pieters camp.

I hope the weather cools a bit. After reading about all the recent elephant and hippo attacks, I'm not sure that sleeping outside is that appealing.

Bwana91