QUEENSLAND’S HEFTY HEATWAVE is set to continue, as the weather bureau warns the state is experiencing its most significant and widespread summer heatwave this season.
The Bureau of Meteorology issued a weather warning overnight, as Queenslanders continue to swelter through prolonged severe to extreme heatwave conditions this week.
Climate Council Acting CEO and Head of Research, Dr Martin Rice said north Queensland would cop the brunt of the extreme heatwave, with temperatures set to soar to the low-to-mid 40s in some inland areas.
“This warning confirms that extreme weather events including the heatwaves we are seeing in Queensland, are becoming more frequent, more intense and are lasting longer than ever before,” he said.
“Summer may be drawing to a close, but there’s no sign of extreme heat slowing down in the Sunshine State, with temperatures so far exceeding up to 11 degrees above the February average.”
Dr Rice said Queensland’s scorching summer heatwave comes after the hottest period on earth was officially confirmed last month, as a result of intensifying climate change.
“Globally, the past five years (2013-2017) have gone down as the hottest in recorded history. While Australia has experienced its hottest winter on record ever, with more than 260 records smashed. Now, Queensland is feeling the heat with most extreme and widespread severe heatwave of the season,” he said.
Dr Rice urged Queenslanders to prepare and protect themselves during the extreme heat.
“Severe heatwaves are silent killers, causing more deaths since the 1890s than bushfires, cyclones, earthquakes, floods and severe storms combined,” he said.
“Our window of opportunity to tackle climate change is closing – quickly. This is just one of many extreme warnings that the Federal Government cannot ignore.”
“Australia’s must urgently slash our rising greenhouse gas emissions in order to protect Australians from escalating extreme heatwaves, placing lives at risk.”
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For more information on the Bureau of Meteorology Queensland heatwave warning visit this link.
For more information please contact Communications Officer Brianna Hudson on 0438 972 260.