Cruel summer: Top Tasmanian health official sounds alert over forecast heatwave conditions
Tasmania’s top health official warns residents about life-threatening heatwave dangers as the state braces for a hotter than usual summer season.
A top Tasmanian health official has sounded an early December warning about the life-threatening danger of heatwaves, amid predictions the state was entering a hotter than usual summer.
Deputy Director of Public Health, Dr Scott McKeown, said with Tasmania forecast to be at increased risk of heatwave potential this season, it was vital that residents understood how to avoid serious weather-related illness.
As the Bureau of Meteorology urged Tasmanians to brace for warmer night-time temperatures and higher humidities, Dr McKeown listed pregnant women, the old and very young, outdoor workers, and people with disability chronic or illnesses as being especially vulnerable to the heat.
“It’s important that everyone in the community knows how to prepare for hot weather before it approaches, and knows how to protect themselves and others on hotter days,” he said.
“This is especially important for people at higher risk and those who support them.
“It’s important to remember that people in Tasmania are more used to cooler weather.
“So warmer temperatures can affect Tasmanians more than they would affect people living in other regions of Australia, who are more used to the warmer weather.”
Dr McKeown said Tasmanians could remain safe and healthy and by avoiding being outdoors during the hottest part of the day, wearing sun-protective clothing, shutting windows and doors against the heat, and maintain water intake even if not thirsty.
Symptoms of heat-related illness included having a raised body temperature or increased heart rate, feeling dizzy or faint, or experiencing muscle cramps in the arms, legs or abdomen.
“Heat-related illness can be life threatening,” Dr McKeown said.
“I encourage Tasmanians to know the symptoms of heat-related illness and their treatment options in case they are affected by heat.
“You can seek medical advice from your GP or by calling healthdirect on 1800 022 222.
“But on a hot day, if you or someone near you is very unwell and does not respond to cooling and rehydration quickly, call triple-0 and ask for an ambulance.”
Senior BOM meteorologist, Luke Johnston, said a heatwave occurred when daily maximum and minimum temperatures for a given location were unusually hot for three or more days in a row.
Overnight temperatures were particularly important in assessing heatwave significance, because they impacted a person’s ability to recover from daytime heat, according to the bureau.
“The forecast shows an increased risk of heatwave potential due to the expectation for warmer than usual daytime temperatures, but especially warmer night time temperatures and higher humidities,” Mr Johnston said.
“Higher humidities during the daytime also makes the temperature “feel” hotter to individuals.”
“December and January are only showing a weak signal for above average temperatures, with a stronger signal for above normal heat conditions during the tail end of summer in February and March 2026.”
The Bureau of Meteorology’s long-range forecasts are updated weekly, and are published online.
Originally published as Cruel summer: Top Tasmanian health official sounds alert over forecast heatwave conditions
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