Media Release
Northern Territory Government
NT Health Helping Territorians keep their cool - new heatwave service launches
4 October 2022
The Bureau of Meteorology and NT Health have launched new warning systems to inform the community about heatwaves and extreme heat conditions.
The Bureau's Heatwave Warning Service issues alerts when a heat hazard is forecast within the next four days and will inform Territorians of a heatwave event.
Heatwave warnings are provided through the Bureau's website and the BOM Weather app.
The new warning service will be used by NT Health and the Chief Health Officer to issue Extreme Heat Warnings and inform the community to take action to protect themselves and their family against the impacts of heat stress.
Extreme heat warnings form part of a new Australian Warning System that aims to provide a more consistent approach to emergency warnings for hazards including bushfires, floods, storms and cyclones.
Extreme heat conditions can occur across the NT between the months of October and March. Extreme heat warnings have been developed specifically for the Territory with indicators informed by local weather conditions.
Extreme heat warnings are likely to be issued when maximum and minimum temperatures are forecast to be unusually hot over a three day period. Forecast minimum and maximum temperatures are also compared to the long-term history of a location as well as temperatures over the last 30 days.
While the NT has naturally warm to hot weather, extreme heat warnings indicate that conditions have exceeded normal levels and the community needs to take personal action to protect themselves and others.
In response to an extreme heat warning, the community should:
· Stay cool in air-conditioning where possible or seek out shady areas with a breeze
· Drink cold or iced water
· Decrease physical activity
· Get into cold water or apply cold substances to the body
· Look after those most at risk including children and older people
Symptoms of heat stress include:
· tiredness and lethargy
· headache
· dizziness or fainting
· confusion leading to poor decision making
· muscle cramps
· feeling thirsty
· urinating less often
People who feel they may be suffering from heat stress should take immediate action to bring their temperature down. If symptoms persist, they should seek medical advice. If they are worried, they should call triple zero (000) immediately.
