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Heatwaves
Heatwaves are very high summer temperatures and the result from certain combinations of temperature, humidity and air movement.
Heatwaves can cause death and seriously affect many thousands of people.
There have been many heatwaves in Australia. In 1939, a heatwave in South Australia killed 438 people.
Heatwaves also have other effects. They can cause losses to crops, kill animals and severely damage:
- roads and highways
- bridges
- railway lines
- electrical equipment.
Heatwaves are different than many other disasters like bushfires or severe storms. Heatwaves can affect large areas over a long time.