Australia: High temperatures likely to persist over central, eastern, and western regions through at least Jan. 29 /update 7

High temperatures are likely to continue across parts of central, eastern, and western Australia through at least Jan. 29. Temperatures up to 50 C (122 F) have been recorded in parts of northern Western Australia in recent days and Sydney has seen temperatures up to 38 C (100 F). Similar highs are expected to persist across much of the affected area through Jan. 24, before the heat starts to contract slightly into more isolated pockets of far western Australia but remains fairly widespread over east-central and eastern Australia from Jan. 25.

As of late Jan. 22, the Australian Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has issued extreme heatwave warnings (the highest level on a three-tier scale) for parts of Pilbara and Gascoyne districts in Western Australia and North West Pastoral District in South Australia. Severe heatwave warnings have been issued for parts of Simpson and Lasseter districts in Northern Territory; Goldfields and South Interior districts in Western Australia; Northern Goldfields and Upper Flinders, North Tropical Coast and Tablelands, Herbert and Lower Burdekin, Central Coast and Whitsundays, Capricornia, Central Highlands and Coalfields, Central West, North West, Channel Country, Maranoa and Warrego, Darling Downs and Granite Belt, Wide Bay and Burnett, and Southeast Coast districts in Queensland; and Central Tablelands, North West Slopes and Plains, Central West Slopes and Plains, Lower Western, and Upper Western districts in New South Wales. Authorities will likely issue new alerts or update/rescind existing advisories as weather conditions change over the coming days.

The extended period of oppressive heat and dry conditions may produce ideal circumstances for bushfire growth throughout the affected regions. Heatwaves also threaten vulnerable groups - such as the elderly, children, pregnant women, and those with respiratory illnesses - due to the increased possibility of heat stroke or heat exhaustion during prolonged exposure to high temperatures. These health risks could also extend to relatively healthy individuals during significant heatwave events. In addition to significantly impacting athletes and those who work outdoors, high temperatures can cause problems for people using mass transit. The lack of air conditioning and cramped vehicles during rush hour may lead to some passengers' hospitalization.

Very high temperatures may damage road surfaces, and overheated vehicles may worsen traffic problems in urban areas where congestion is already a problem. Commercial trucking disruptions might occur, as very high temperatures put more stress on vehicles, making tire blowouts more common. Major flight disruptions are unlikely at regional airports, but general aviation disruptions are possible, and some airfreight carriers could reduce cargo loads. High temperatures could lead to an increased demand for electricity, which might trigger localized brownouts or blackouts, exacerbating hazardous conditions when air conditioning is no longer possible.