Australia melts: Deadly warning as worst heatwave in eight years continues

Australia is bracing for a third day of scorching temperatures amid the country’s most brutal heatwave since 2011.

Summer heat records continue to be smashed. South Australia has been hit the hardest with the Bureau of Meteorology forecasting temperatures of up to 12 degrees Celsius above average, and 10 higher than usual at night, from Monday to Friday.

The NSW Riverina is another area scorched by the heatwave, while all states and territories, except for Tasmania have regions where the top tempreature is due to reach into the 40s.

“They are pretty incredible temperatures,” senior forecaster Michael Efron said.

The severe weather has prompted warnings from emergency and health authorities for people to take care, as hospital networks start to track heat-related admissions.

“Heat is the worst of our natural emergencies with excess hospital presentations, ambulance transfers and even people potentially dying,” South Australia Chief Medical Officer Paddy Phillips said.

Authorities are particularly concerned about the impact on those most vulnerable, including the homeless, the elderly and those with medical conditions.

South Australia

South Australia is feeling the brunt of the hot conditions, with Port Augusta posting a top temperature of 48.9 on Tuesday – the highest ever recorded in the mid-north town.

The severe conditions, which sparked a Code Red Extreme Heatwave Emergency Warning, also took their toll on cyclists in the Tour Down Under with both the first and second stages shortened due to the heat.

Adelaide is tipped to have another top of 40 on Wednesday, after similar maximums on Monday and Tuesday.

The Code Red triggers extra funding so services for the homeless can be extended while a special phone line will also operate for the next two days, providing regular checks on the elderly and others at risk.

NSW

Parts of NSW surpassed 40 degrees before 11am, as heatwave conditions sweep across the state.

The majority of NSW is forecast to exceed 41 from Wednesday to Friday – the first time since 1939 most of the state has endured such high temperatures for five consecutive days.

Temperatures in the Riverina region including Wagga Wagga, Albury, Hay, Deniliquin and Griffith are all expected to reach highs of at least 45 degrees.

In Sydney, Penrith tipped past 28 just before 9am, while Camden, Campelltown and Badgery’s Creek weren’t far behind at above 27. Observatory Hill, in the city’s CBD, was nudging 27.

NSW Health has also warned that the extreme temperatures will see high ozone air pollution across Sydney in the coming days.

Dr Richard Broome, Director of Environmental Health, said that “ozone can irritate the lungs, and that people with asthma need to follow their Asthma Action Plan and have their relieving medication with them.”

“People with asthma and other chronic respiratory diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are especially vulnerable to the health effects of ozone.”

Victoria

Several towns along the NSW-Victoria border felt the hot weather with Mildura residents suffering through a scorching 46 day.

Australian Open players had cooler conditions on Tuesday as Melbourne reached a bearable 30.4, while outer suburbs like Scoresby reached 40.2.

Those in Melbourne will receive a short reprieve on Wednesday before a high of 33 on Thursday.

The hot and unstable airmass has also seen severe storms have also been forecasted for parts of Victoria and western and central NSW,

Meanwhile firefighters have controlled a bushfire burning near the small township of Benloch, northwest of Melbourne, which has destroyed 25 hectares.

Ground crews and aerial water bombers successfully controlled the blaze late on Tuesday afternoon, hours after it began and an earlier watch and act warning was downgraded.

Queensland, ACT, Tasmania and NT

A widespread low-intensity heatwave is also expected to stretch through to Friday from central Western Australia to southern parts of the Northern Territory and southwestern Queensland, as well as parts of Tasmania.

The severe weather has prompted warnings from emergency and health authorities for people to take care and ensure no pets or children are left unattended in cars.

Despite comparatively cooler temperatures, Tasmania is facing a severe bushfire threat, with low humidity and some 1200 dry lightning strikes.

Canberra is tipped to reach a high of 41C on Wednesday followed by 40 on Thursday, while Brisbane is set for a string of 30C days.

Darwin’s wet season is also showing no signs of relenting with showers, storms and temperatures in the low 30s expected for the rest of the week.

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