South Australia, Adelaide heatwave: Heat to strike for rest of the week
4.30pm UPDATE: Adelaide’s now hit 42.4C — above the expected maximum of 41C. But spare a thought for SA’s Far North-East, which is forecast to reach the mid 40s every day until Monday, and where Moomba has exceeded 46C.
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AUTHORITIES are reminding South Australians to stay safe and look out for the vulnerable, as the state swelters through this week’s heatwave.
Bureau of Meteorology senior forecaster Matt Collopy said northerly winds had pushed some of the hot air mass — which has been heating up in SA’s Far North — into the southern part of the state.
The mercury soared from 27.5C at 6am in Adelaide to 40C by 2pm. It hit a high of 42.4C at 5.04pm in the CBD.
“We’ve seen the temperatures rise into the 40s across most centres in SA,” Mr Collopy said.
“The minimum temperature overnight expected is 29C — so not a lot of relief.”
But it’s even hotter in Moomba where the mercury reached 45C on Tuesday with no relief overnight as the temperature hit the low to mid 30s. By 10am it was 40.5C in the mining town, then climbed to 46.6C just after 4pm — and it’s set to stay around that until Monday.
The forecast means Moomba is set to create a new record, with a sequence of six days where the maximum temperature is more than 45C.
Thursday in Adelaide is still forecast to be 41C, Friday 39C and Saturday 37C before a cool change.
“The minimum temperatures over those nights will be very warm as well, 23-24C,” Mr Collopy said.
On Thursday, a southerly will reach the state’s southern coastal towns, however Adelaide will not feel that change until Saturday evening.
“Temperatures will be dropping back into the mid-20s by the time you get through to Sunday and Monday.”
The next few days will also result in very high relative humidity.
“That will effect people’s ability to cool off,” he said.
“Very hot and very humid conditions right through Wednesday through Saturday and some relief on Sunday.”
SES chief of staff Derren Halleday reminded South Australians to look out for the vulnerable, including pets.
He said anyone seeking respite at the beaches should swim between the flags.
SA Health chief medical officer Paddy Phillips said people should take preventive action — including staying inside the cool of houses, and avoiding strenuous activity in the middle of the day — to reduce heat-stress related admissions to hospital.
He advised people to keep their fluids up, even when they don’t feel thirsty.
“Babies and young children can’t tell you they’re thirsty so giving them extra breastfeeds and bottled water is a good idea,” he said.
At Roxby Downs — where the temperature is expected to be 45C over the next four days — first-time mother Millie Thomas, 26, is staying inside under the airconditioner with her seven-month old son Max Headland.
She said they were lucky, because people in town with an evaporative cooler were finding it was actually cooler outside.
“We’re bunking down and using the pool as much as we can as well,” Ms Thomas said.
“My son is a water baby so it’s perfect.”
Ms Thomas and Max were at a friend’s house when Max, who was placed under the cool water in the sink, decided to “man the water himself” to beat the heat.
The State Emergency Service is urging people to seek shelter and to take measures to ensure their safety and comfort over the next few days.
SES Chief Officer Chris Beattie said the best option was to remain indoors with the airconditioning on, particularly during the hottest parts of the day.
“If you do need to go outside for whatever reason then try and do so early in the morning or later in the evening when it is a bit cooler,” Mr Beattie said.