LONG-range weather forecasts are showing that Logan is a 60% chance of breathing a collective sigh of relief.
They’re showing that in the local area, we’re more likely to see lower than median rainfall for the March-May period.
This means, while we’re never completely out of the woods, that it’s likely Logan has this season dodged the floods which have been so prevalent in recent years.
Instead, we’ve been subject to frequent heatwave conditions, and forecasts are showing a warmer Autumn than we’re normally used to.
Bureau of Meteorology forecasts show a greater than 80% likelihood of high heat from March to May. By weather standards, it’s almost a lock.
While the City of Logan is likely to see some rain on Thursday and Friday, the warm conditions are expected to continue for the last few days of Summer.
This coming Sunday and Monday will see temperatures again rise above 31 degrees, according to the bureau.
The bureau says a heatwave is three or more days in a row when both daytime and night-time temperatures are unusually high – a frequent occurrence over the past two months.
“There is no single temperature threshold for a heatwave in Australia,” a bureau spokesperson said.
“For each part of the country, we compare the forecast maximum and minimum temperatures for each three-day period in the coming week to normal temperatures expected for that location at that time of year.
“Hot days without hot nights allow some recovery from each day’s heat, but if the temperature stays high overnight then the maximum will be reached earlier in the following day and will last longer.
“When unusually high night and daytime temperatures persist, heat stress becomes a critical factor in human survival and infrastructure resilience.”
Over the past 200 years, heatwaves have cost more lives than any other natural hazard in Australia.
The good news is that over the next week at least, there are no heatwave conditions forecast for Logan.
The Bureau of Meteorology has maps which show heatwave conditions for the next three days, and further maps which show forecasts for the next five three-day periods (starting different days of the week).
“You can use heatwave forecasts to better prepare for heatwave conditions and reduce the impact of heat stress on you, your family and your business,” the spokesperson said.
“If a heatwave is headed your way, consider the level of severity and listen to messages from your local emergency services and health authorities.”
