Emergency services have urged South-East Queenslanders to stay cool during a predicted heatwave that will “shock” some people this week.
Queensland Ambulance Services Clinical Director, Tony Hucker, fronted media on Tuesday to warn of the hot temperatures set to impact the region.
“It’s important we send out some messages about the upcoming scorching couple of days ahead,” he said.
“Heat stroke can kill … if your temperature elevates you can essentially cook your brain in your skull.
“If you’re working outside, make sure you take breaks.
“The biggest, toughest tradie can fall in a heap from heat related syndrome. It doesn’t matter how fit and strong you are. Heat will wear you down if you don’t take rests and drink the right amount of water.
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“Even tough tradies need to drink water and take breaks and make sure they’re not overheating.
“If you have older people living next to you, knock on their door and make sure they’re okay and that they’ve got food and water and their house is well ventilated.
“Mums with young bubs should make sure they have the regular feeds and keep an eye on them. They can’t regulate their own temperature well so keep them in a cool part of the house.
“The heat can also exacerbate illnesses and tip them over the edge. People with chronic illness need to take extra care.”
The Sunshine Coast was set to reach 35 degrees Celsius on Tuesday, 33 on Wednesday and 35 on Thursday, with an extreme UV index.
Bureau of Meteorology meteorologist Livio Regano told Sunshine Coast News the heat would come as a shock to some.
“It’s a very sudden turnaround,” he said.
“We had several days of below average temperatures, phenomenally so.
“We even broke a few records last week for daytime temperatures in the south-east.
“But that influence has moved offshore very quickly.
“That low that brought all the wind and beach erosion is disappearing and instead we have a light wind, carrying all the heat from north-west Queensland.
“It changes dramatically in half a day.
“Places like Maroochydore will probably see temperatures in the low to mid 30s from Tuesday, with a thunderstorm to top it all off on Thursday and then a cool change on Friday, bringing us to a weekend like the one we just had: cool, breezy and showery.”
Mr Regano said the sudden hot conditions would startle some Sunshine Coast residents, after some cool months.
“We had a freaky spring and first week of summer, so although temperatures in the low to mid 30s are quite common in December it (the heat) will come as a surprise to some,” he said.
“Normally, we get hot days in November, but we haven’t really had any so this (heat) will come as a shock to some people.
“We had an episode of exceptionally cool weather and now there’s a quick turnaround and we’ll notice it.”
Mr Regano said temperatures can vary during summer.
“The average is usually 29 or 30 but there is always variation, so sometimes it’s in the mid to high 20s and sometimes it’s in the low to mid 30s.”
For more information on staying safe in the heat, see Qld Govt – Heatwave.
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