A strong ridge of high pressure will push temperatures well above normal across western US states and parts of Mexico this week, with daytime highs running as much as 10–15°C above seasonal averages. The US National Weather Service has issued heat advisories for areas of California and Arizona, and extreme heat warnings are in place for Monday and Tuesday in spots such as Palm Springs, where highs could reach 40–43°C (104–110°F). Temperatures are also expected to climb into the high 30s Celsius before the heat shifts east toward the Midwest later in the week.
At the same time, parts of South Africa are facing continuing severe weather. Rain swept in from the Atlantic over the Western and Northern Cape at the weekend, producing persistent downpours and raising the risk of flooding. Forecast totals from Monday to Wednesday include more than 200 mm across sections of the Western Cape, with mountain areas possibly approaching 300 mm.
The South African Weather Service has issued warnings for flash flooding, mudslides, rockfalls and damage to infrastructure and property. Heavy rain is expected to coincide with strong, potentially damaging winds: large areas of southern South Africa, including the Western and Eastern Cape, could see north-westerly to westerly gusts in excess of 60 mph (about 97 km/h) early in the week, with stronger gusts over higher ground such as the Cape Fold Mountains.
These warnings follow severe weather on 5–7 May, when heavy rain caused flooding, road closures and damage across the Western and Eastern Cape. Some locations recorded more than 300 mm of rain, forcing evacuations in the Gamtoos Valley after the Kouga dam exceeded capacity. Widespread power outages and at least 45 road closures left communities isolated. One person was killed in Knysna, and more than 2,000 people were moved to emergency shelters.
