Doctors warn there are biological limits to temperatures we can survive, and exposure to extreme heat can provoke a heart attack

Australia’s southern states are scorching in extreme heat that could break temperature records in Victoria and South Australia on Tuesday.

At Ouyen and Mildura in north-west Victoria, temperatures of 49C were forecast for Tuesday afternoon. If reached, they would break the state’s all-time temperature record of 48.8C, set in Hopetoun on Black Saturday in 2009. By 1pm, temperatures of 46.2C in Ouyen and 44.8C in Mildura had been recorded.

At Ouyen and Mildura in north-west Victoria, temperatures of 49C were forecast for Tuesday afternoon. If reached, they would break the state’s all-time temperature record of 48.8C, set in Hopetoun on Black Saturday in 2009. By 1pm, temperatures of 46.2C in Ouyen and 44.8C in Mildura had been recorded.

In Adelaide, the mercury hit 40C before 9.30am on Tuesday, after overnight lows of 35C, BoM observations showed.

Extreme heat is the most common cause of weather-related hospitalisations in Australia, and kills more people than all other natural hazards combined. What does exposure to extreme heat – such as a temperature of 49C – do to the body?

  • bitwolf@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
    11·
    7 hours ago

    That is exactly how I felt about Texas.

    And I was shocked no one thought to build or market reasonable 3rd spaces.

    I always imagined thats why there were so many drunk people out and about. Because the only habitable place outside of homes were bars if you didn’t have a gym membership.

    • UnderpantsWeevil@lemmy.worldEnglish
      5·
      6 hours ago

      Plenty of 3rd spaces exist in Texas. You just have to pay to play. The hyper-capitalist dream is alive in the Lone Star State.

      I always imagined thats why there were so many drunk people out and about. Because the only habitable place outside of homes were bars if you didn’t have a gym membership.

      I gotta wonder how much of the decline of alcoholism in the subsequent generations boils down to affordability.

      Gym memberships are way cheaper than bar tabs.

    • nutsack@lemmy.dbzer0.comEnglish
      5·
      5 hours ago

      yes. everyone is inside because it’s hot, and everyone is getting drunk because that’s the only thing there is to do, and everyone is driving a car because that’s the only way to get there. if you didn’t drive, then you’re waiting around for the person who drove you, and you’re getting really drunk because they don’t want to leave yet. what a stupid ironic life