Perth has been issued its first extremely severe heatwave warning in history as temperatures are expected to hit 40C this week.
The alert comes despite the fact that other parts of the state are already sweating through 45C days.
This is all because Perth’s residents are at risk because they have not yet become accustomed to the hotter temperatures, according to the Bureau of Meterology.
Bureau spokesman Jessica Lingard said individuals in warmer regions are more accustomed to the heat while locals in Perth have “had no time to acclimatise.”
“It’s been significantly different to what we’ve experienced recently so there’s been no slow build-up for our bodies to get used to,” Ms Lingard said via The West Australian.
She said getting under a fan or air conditioning was a must for the hotter days.
“Drink water, use a fan and stay inside,” she said.
“If you don’t have aircon, steal someone else’s. Visit a friend and stay cool.”
Perth is expected to hit 39C on Wednesday and 40C on Thursday, remaining uncomfortably hot for at least a week before temperatures start to edge back towards to mid twenties next week.
The bureau has sent out heatwave warnings on its website for various areas across the state, determined by comparing a location’s average temperature over three days with the average over 30 days.
On Tuesday, the Public Transport Authority WA issued a statement warning of probable constraints to the Transperth network.
Due to some train lines still using wooden sleepers, train speeds must be reduced by 20km/h on any day the temperature reaches 37°C, the statement said, advising commuters to allow extra time for delays.
RSPCA WA has also cautioned owners against taking pets out for walks during the midday heat, reminding pet owners that if you can’t comfortably hold your hand on the ground for five seconds, then it’s too hot for animals’ paws.
While Perth cops the heat, the east is experiencing its own brand of wild weather, with forecasters warning of thunderstorms “flashing to life” over the next week.
Sky News meteorologist Alison Osborne said southern Queensland and the northern revers region of New South Wales will face thunderstorms which could lead to flash flooding.
Brisbane, Sydney, and Canberra are all susceptible to thunderstorms early in the week.
The forecast comes after eastern regions of the NSW and Queensland border were bombed by golf ball-sized hailstones mid week.
The upcoming soaking is likely to be welcomed in the fire-ravaged parts of NSW and Queensland.
“The last week has been characterised by outback downpours … and that’s expected every single day in the coming week,” Ms Osborne said.
“Winds coming off the Coral and Tasman seas; they’re feeding moisture laden into that area of low pressure.
“You have the recipe for widespread showers and thunderstorms – and that pattern isn’t shifting much over the next week.”
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