Extreme heat and heatwaves

Heatwaves occur when the minimum and maximum temperatures are much hotter than usual.

Heatwaves and extreme heat cause heat-related illnesses such as dehydration, heat stress and heat stroke. Extreme heat can affect everyone, however, some people are more vulnerable in the hot weather and need to take extra care of their health to prevent heat-related illnesses

Heatwaves have become a serious public health issue, causing more deaths in Australia in the past 200 years, than any other natural hazard. Extreme heat events are becoming an increasingly common occurrence throughout Western Australia. Associated with these events is the projected increase in the number of heat-related deaths and consequential impacts on community, infrastructure and services.