OPPRESSIVE HEAT BEGINNING TO TAKE A TOLL
GOLD Coasters have been struggling with high humidity and scorching heat, with more than 30 calls made this week to paramedics.
Temperatures have sizzled three degrees above average, but Weatherzone forecaster Kim Westcott said humidity levels would decrease today. “Thursday and Tuesday have been marginally hot, hitting 32C,” she said.
“We are looking at another 31C today and a few showers in the afternoon.”
But the good news is that by the weekend it will be mostly sunny and settled.
According to Ms Westcott, the heat is coming from a pool of hot air in the interior of Western Australia. Yesterday that air mass was not moving at all and forecasters said it would stay until a southerly change moved it next week.
In the meantime the heatwave is playing havoc locally, with Gold Coast Health reporting that one patient has already been admitted for heat-related symptoms this week.
The Southport Ambulance operations centre also reported 34 heatrelated calls over the past seven days compared to 27 calls for all of January.
Paramedics warned people to be aware of the heat and take precautions.
Queensland Ambulance Service said people should drink water and avoid alcohol, caffeine and sugary drinks. Residents were also urged to find somewhere with air-conditioning.