BoM trialling heatwave warning service for councils

The Bureau of Meteorology is trialling a heatwave warning service with state and territory governments aimed at helping councils, communities and individuals to better plan and prepare for heatwaves.

The Bureau has been working across Australian governments, including with local governments in Sydney’s west regarding council requirements on heatwaves.

The Bureau publishes public 7-day heatwave forecasts and assessments but is now providing a new Heatwave Decision Support product to state and territory agencies that provides more geographic detail over the 7-day forecast.

This new product builds on work between the South Australia State Emergency Service and the University of Adelaide.

Bureau heatwave resources can be found at its Heatwave Knowledge Centre.

A special factsheet for councils is being prepared by the Bureau to help councils access heatwave information. Councils wanting access to the heatwave warning during the trial will need to approach their state or territory governments.

The Bureau will be trialling the heatwave warning over the current severe weather season, which usually ends in March.

At the end of the severe weather season, the trial will be reviewed and evaluated.

The Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) and its members are looking forward to being involved in the review process.