The Gold Coast is in for another sweltering day and night as the heat wave continues.
“Muggy and uncomfortable” conditions will ramp up with little relief expected until Sunday, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.
We’re in for temperatures of around 30 degrees today, but it’ll hit 33 on Friday and Saturday.
On top of stifling temps, the dew point remains shocking, which makes conditions seem even worse.
Put simply, the higher the dew point, the longer it takes for your body to cool itself.
Any dew point over 24 causes “oppressive” and “possible heat stress issues”…. the Gold Coast’s dew point has been sitting at around 23.
Health experts have issued heat wave safety advice, with QAS Clinical Director Tony Hucker saying heat stress can be fatal.
“Keep out of the hottest part of the day, stay inside with air-conditioning, fans, splashing some water around to help cool your body down,” Mr Hucker says.
“Make sure you’ve got lots of cool drinks close by and keep sipping water. That is just fundamental to staying safe when it’s really really hot.”
Mr Hucker says we should also be checking on those vulnerable.
“If there’s elderly people close by to where you live, go and knock on their door and see if they’re okay,”
“People who have chronic illnesses are at a high-risk of getting sick from heat-related illness, as are young babies so we just need to keep an extra eye out for them.”
We’re urged to stay inside – especially in the heat of the day, but if that’s not possible ensure you’re drinking lots of cold water, eating plenty of small snacks, and taking lots of breaks.
The Gold Coast could also be in the firing line of some storm action today.
A thunderstorm bringing heavy rain is possible for a large part of the southeast, including the Gold Coast.
⛈️#QLD thunderstorm #forecast for today. Severe storms with heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding are possible in the north, mainly inland. Parts of the southeast may also see severe storms, with potential heavy rain or damaging winds, plus a slight risk of large hail. pic.twitter.com/4ySME6T894
— Bureau of Meteorology, Queensland (@BOM_Qld) February 1, 2023
