Extreme weather - 01/20/2016

Heatwave in Queensland

**** MEDIA RELEASE - HEATWAVE CONDITIONS FOR MUCH OF QUEENSLAND OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL DAYS ****

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Above average temperatures forecast for Queensland over the next week

20/01/2016

Severe to extreme heatwave conditions are forecast across inland Queensland over the next week, with temperatures between 5-8 degrees above average expected.

Bureau of Meteorology Regional Weather Services Manager, Dr Richard Wardle, said temperatures between the mid-30s and low 40s are likely.

"These above average temperatures are being caused by a slow-moving surface trough resulting in hot air for much of the State," said Dr Wardle.

"These conditions are expected to begin in the south on Thursday and Friday before shifting northwards over the weekend before reaching the northwest of the State by Tuesday of next week.

"Inland areas should experience above average daytime temperatures as a result of this hot air. However, coastal areas will generally be not be as hot as a result of afternoon sea breezes. However daytime temperatures are still expected to be above average”, he said.

The Bureau now provides a Heatwave Service in addition to the temperature forecast, which provides a measure of the intensity of a heatwave, compared to the long term climate average.

Mr John Nairn said the Heatwave Service allows the Bureau to inform the community of the severity of a heatwave, and is able to map the level of intensity of each heatwave event.

“The current event shows large areas of Australia will reach severe heatwave conditions, a more advanced indicator than temperature alone in anticipating the impact of heat stress,” said Mr Nairn.

Severe and extreme heatwaves pose significant risks to human health and safety, particularly the elderly, who are more vulnerable to the effects of heat stress.

When temperatures are unusually hot over a period of time, with continuously high night-time and day-time temperatures, heat stress becomes a critical factor in human survival and infrastructure resilience.

Check the Bureau’s website for the latest weather forecasts and warnings, and follow us on Twitter.

Further information on the Bureau’s Heatwave Service for Australia can also be found on our website.

Information and heatwave severity diagrams provided by the Bureau of Meteorology.

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