Stay cool

INTENSE overnight temperatures will prove the most dangerous point in a week-long heatwave, putting pressure on infrastructure and residents.

A heatwave warning from the Department of Health has been issued as overnight minimum temperatures are predicted to rise to 21 tonight and 23 tomorrow.

Bureau of Meteorology acting regional director John Nairn said the heatwave affecting 70 per cent of Australia would peak today and tomorrow.

“A loss of lower recovery temperatures during heatwaves leads to an accumulation of heat in human and infrastructure systems, leading to failure amongst vulnerable communities of people or overstretched utilities,” Mr Nairn said.

For more on this story, see Monday’s edition of The Guardian
(07/01/13).