Extreme heat warnings across Australia this weekend
Australians are being warned to brace themselves for a scorching hot weekend, with extreme temperature warnings in place across the country.
South Australia and Victoria are already in the thick of a heatwave that’s seen Melbourne temperatures soar to 40°C and Tour Down Under official to shorten today’s cycling leg.
Health experts have also issued dire warning for tennis players competition in the Australian Open, with some saying they “could die” under the extreme conditions.
Dr Liz Hanna, of the Climate Change Institute at the Australian National University and the Climate and Health Alliance, told news.com.au, “(The temperatures players face) are a lot hotter than recorded and we know with tennis players – particularly when they’re playing at their full capacity – their muscles are generating an enormous amount of additional heat.
“They’re at very high risk of overheating and that is potentially lethal. The worst case scenario is that somebody would succumb to severe injury.”
⚠SEVERE WEATHER UPDATE: Hot weather and #fire danger in South Australia and southeastern States. Video current at 1.30pm AEDT Thurs 18 Jan. Forecasts at https://t.co/vJmkTXbr9Z@SAHealth @CFSAlerts @NSWHealth @NSWRFS @CFA_Updates @VicEmergency @TasAlert @TasFireService #heatwave pic.twitter.com/zQMgIDsmSo
— Bureau of Meteorology, Australia (@BOM_au) January 18, 2018
The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) says the string of hot days is the result of a hot air mass being dragged down from Central Australia and raising temperatures in the eastern states. And BOM forecaster Jonathan How says there is more pain coming.
“Particularly Sydney is going to see some very hot temperatures in the western suburbs,” Mr How told news.com.au.
“Penrith and Richmond have already seen eight days above 40°C so far this summer so they’re well on the way to beating the all-time record of 12 days over 40°C.”
Tips for handling a heat wave:
- Drink plenty of water
- Eat cold meals
- Avoid sport and strenuous activity
- Stay in shade or air-conditioned buildings
What are your thoughts? Have you been coping with the heat?