If you’ve been feeling the heat lately, you are not imagining things.
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It’s shaping up to be another record-breaking month for Tasmania, with the Bureau of Meteorology predicting some of the hottest average maximum temperature’s for November in the states history.
This follows the highest average temperatures ever recorded for October at 14.1 degrees.
BOM senior forecaster Tim Bolden said it is looking very likely that Tasmania will experience a record breaking month.
“At this stage we are forecasting a statewide mean maximum temperature of 24 degrees,” he said.
“This has just never happened before.
“Certainly parts of Tasmania will see a record breaking temperatures for November.
“Which is even more remarkable considering the was snowfall in parts at the beginning of the month.”
Mr Bolton said some of the hottest temperatures have been recorded in the Derwent Valley in the state’s south, with temperatures above 26 degrees for more than six days in a row.
This week in Launceston, the maximum temperature leading in to the weekend is expected to reach 28 degrees with no signs of cooling down.
This time last year November 21 proved to be the month’s hottest day with a maximum of 26.4 degrees – only 2.4 degrees higher than the monthly average predicted for this year.
Mr Bolden said the heat is being caused by a high pressure system over the Tasman Sea.
“Usually these things move along but is has been stationary for some time now,” he said.
“It is sending air from off the Queensland coast and it looks like it will keep up for some time.”
Currently the hottest November day ever recorded in Launceston is 31 degrees, on November 1, 1987.
Tasmania’s Director of Public Health, Dr Mark Veitch, has encouraged people to get prepared to beat the heat.
“It’s important to plan how to deal with the hot days we can expect this week and particularly during summer,” he said.
“We should all look out for one-another – keep in touch with elderly or ill relatives, friends and neighbours on hot days.
“Know about heat illness and know what to do if someone is suffering in the heat.
“Now’s a good time to get fans out of storage and check air-conditioners are working and set to cool.”
Dr Veitch said hot weather is more likely to affect the elderly, the very young and those with chronic illness.
Tips to beat the heat:
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water, even if you don’t feel thirsty. Avoid sugar-sweetened drinks, alcohol and caffeine.
- Check on others: Check on relatives and friends at risk, such as the elderly and people with chronic medical conditions. Check they are managing and not affected by the heat.
- Minimise sun: Keep out of the sun as much as possible and avoid outdoor activities in the heat of the day. If you must go outside, wear light protective clothing, a hat, sunglasses, and use plenty of sunscreen.
- Children can die in hot cars: Never leave children in cars in the sun.
- Prepare your house: If you have a fan or air-conditioner, make sure it is working and set to cool. If you do not have a fan or air-conditioner, shut curtains and blinds to keep out the heat during the day and open doors and windows in the cool of the evening.
- Pets: Keep your pets out of the sun with plenty of cool water to drink. Exercise your dog in the cooler early morning or evening.
- Seek medical advice: Heat illness can be serious. In a life threatening emergency don’t wait, call triple zero (000) for help.