General News
6 October, 2022
New service to protect community from heatwaves
A new warning service to alert Australians to severe or extreme heatwaves in their area has been launched by the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM). The service was introduced this month and provides a public warning that a heat hazard is forecast within...
A new warning service to alert Australians to severe or extreme heatwaves in their area has been launched by the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM).
The service was introduced this month and provides a public warning that a heat hazard is forecast within the next four days to help Australians prepare for and lessen the impacts of a heatwave.
Heatwaves are Australia’s most dangerous environmental hazard, resulting in more deaths than bushfires, floods, cyclones, and severe storms combined.
The system has two warning levels:
• Severe Heatwaves — likely to be more challenging for vulnerable people such as older people, particularly those with medical conditions.
• Extreme Heatwaves — rare events that are a problem for people who don’t take precautions to keep cool, even for people who are healthy. People who work or exercise outdoors are at greater risk.
The Bureau will issue a heatwave warning for your weather district if a severe or extreme heatwave is expected via its website at www.bom.gov.au and via the BOM Weather app.