Heatwave
A heatwave is an extended period of excessively hot weather, typically characterised by high temperatures persisting above normal levels, often accompanied by oppressive humidity, and posing health risks and potential heat-related emergencies.
What is a heatwave?
Heatwaves are not often perceived as a risk in Tasmania but with temperature rises, infrastructure mostly designed to protect from cold weather and increased unpredictability of weather, they should be. A heatwave is any long period of very hot weather.
For more information about heatwaves, visit the Heatwave Knowledge Centre and AIDR Knowledge Hub.
Understand your risk
Heat waves can impact anyone. However, there are members in our community who are particularly vulnerable and need to take special care during heat waves. They include:
- babies and young people
- elderly, particularly the frail or over 65
- pregnant women, babies and young children
- people with medical conditions such as asthma
- people with a physical disability, or those with a serious chronic condition (heart problems, breathing problems, diabetes, serious mental illness, dementia, Alzheimer’s disease or those who are very overweight)
- people taking certain types of medications, including those affecting sweating and body temperature
- a person with a high temperature from an existing infection
- pets, and
- people who work in the outdoors or are physically active
For more information, visit the BoM Heatwave Service.