The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has responded to the increasing threat of heatwaves by developing and trialling a new Heatwave Warning with state and territory agencies.
It has also released a new Heatwave Decision Support Product for state and territory agencies to assist heatwave preparation and response.
It comes as Marble Bar, in WA’s north-west, experiences extreme heatwave conditions, with temperatures of over 45 degrees for the first four days of December, together with a severe fire danger warning.
Other communities in WA’s Pilbara and Kimberley regions have been experiencing temperatures of over 38 degrees since September.
The Bureau is also developing a Fact Sheet for Local Government on its heatwave services.
Over many decades, the death toll from heatwaves in Australia has exceeded that for any other environmental disasters, including floods, bushfires, and cyclones.
The impact of heatwaves reinforces the need for communities to be prepared for more frequent and longer heatwave events.
The Bureau of Meteorology has responded to the increasing threat of heatwaves by adding to its existing heatwave service, developing a new Heatwave Decision Support Product, and trialling a Heatwave Warning with state and territory agencies..
The trial Heatwave Warning will be evaluated after the severe weather season.
Local Governments should contact their State and Territory Governments or their Bureau of Meteorology regional representatives for more information on the new products.