BOM issue extreme heatwave warning for Mt Isa, Hinchinbrook

Sweltering conditions baking North Queensland intensifies with the mercury hitting 43 degrees in Mt Isa and 35 degrees in Hinchinbrook on Sunday.

The Bureau of Meteorology’s three-day heatwave warning for Queensland, with the North-West and Hinchinbrook in the firing line for extreme conditions. Picture: BOM

Sweltering conditions baking North Queensland intensified Sunday with the mercury hitting 43 degrees in Mt Isa and 35 degrees in Hinchinbrook.

Hinchinbrook’s Local Disaster Coordination Centre issued its latest heat warning at 2.30pm on Sunday.

The Bureau of Meteorology warned of a low-intensity heatwave over most of Queensland but particularly North Queensland, including Townsville with 33-degree high temperatures expected to persist until at least Wednesday.

BOM projected that within that area, severe heatwave conditions were also prevalent, including in Charters Towers with temperatures expected to hit 37 degrees Monday through Wednesday.

Extreme heatwave conditions, the highest level, were forecast for Mount Isa where temperatures hit as high as 43 degrees on Sunday and will last through to Thursday.

Parts of Hinchinbrook Shire north of Townsville were also in the firing line for the “extreme” conditions.

Temperatures reached 35 degrees on Sunday and will persist until at least Wednesday.

Recent heavy rainfall during two spectacular local storms have left humid, sticky conditions.

The inclement weather is also expected to persist throughout the week, adversely impacting the sugar-cane harvest.

Lightening over Ingham during a recent storm, posted in the Everything Ingham Facebook page by Jonty Fratus.

Plan and prepare

Monitor the weather using Bureau of Meteorology’s Heatwave Service.

Store food and medication at a safe temperature.

Plan ahead if the electricity goes out.

Know who to call if you need help.

Follow your doctor’s advice if you have any medical conditions.

Stay as cool as possible

Try to be indoors during the hottest part of the day.

Close windows and doors to keep the heat out.

Use air-conditioning or fans if available.

Avoid or reduce strenuous activities.

If you have to go outside, be sun safe by wearing a hat, long sleeves and light clothing, seeking shade where possible and applying sunscreen every two hours.

Drink water regularly and stay hydrated

Drink water (between 6-8 glasses each day).

Avoid alcoholic, hot or sugary drinks including tea and coffee (they can make dehydration worse).

Urine colour is a good guide to hydration – it should be clear to light straw-colour.

If you go outside, carry a bottle of water with you.

Look out for each other

Keep in contact with elderly friends, neighbours and relatives during a heatwave in case you, or they, need help.

Don’t leave children or pets in parked cars.

Heat stress can cause a range of health problems, including heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heatstroke and can be dangerous for many people including the elderly, babies, pregnant women and those with existing medical conditions.

If you are concerned you, or your loved one, is affected by one of these, call 13 HEALTH (13 43 25) or visit your doctor.

Call triple-0 (000) immediately in an emergency.

Originally published as BOM issue extreme heatwave warning for Mt Isa, Hinchinbrook