Australia: High temperatures likely to persist over parts of the country through at least Feb. 14 /update 10

High temperatures will likely continue across parts of Australia through at least Feb. 14. Heatwave conditions over far western, far eastern, and far northern Australia are forecast to spread across western, southern, far northern, and far eastern regions over the coming days. Extreme heatwave conditions are likely over isolated parts of the Gascoyne coast and Dampier Peninsula in Western Australia Feb. 8-10. Severe to low-intensity heatwave conditions are forecast over most of Western Australia Feb. 8-14 and over central and eastern Tasmania Feb. 11-13.

As of Feb. 8, the Australian Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has issued severe heatwave warnings (the middle level on a three-tier scale) for parts of Arnhem District in Northern Territory and Gascoyne, Central West, Lower West, South West, South Coastal, and Great Southern districts in Western Australia. 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.