FAQs

What is a heatwave?
How can I stay informed about heatwave emergency warnings?
Why is it so hot in the city?
What is Resilient East?
Why did we do this engagement?

    What is a heatwave?

    Three or more days of high maximum and minimum temperatures that are unusual for that location – based on averages. 

    The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) operates a daily assessment and forecast Heatwave Service between November and March. More information is available on their website here: www.bom.gov.au/australia/heatwave/.

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    How can I stay informed about heatwave emergency warnings?

    • For more information on specific temperature triggers for an extreme heat watch or extreme heat warning, visit the State Emergency Service (SES)www.ses.sa.gov.au.
    • Monitor local conditions and tune in to your local ABC on a battery-powered radio for updates
    • Call the SA Emergency Infoline on 1800 362 361
    • People who are deaf, or have a hearing or speech impairment, can contact the SA Emergency Infoline via the National Relay Service on 1800 555 727 (TTY users 1800 555 677)
    • Follow the SES on Twitter (@SA_SES) or Facebook (SA State Emergency Service)
    • For weather warnings and forecasts visit www.bom.gov.au
    • For SES assistance phone 132 500
    • For further information visit www.sa.gov.au/extremeheat

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    Why is it so hot in the city?

    In the City of Adelaide, temperatures in the built-up areas can be much hotter than in the surrounding Park Lands. The difference in temperature is caused by heat captured in roads, footpaths and buildings, and heat emitted from sources such as vehicles and air-conditioning units. This is known as the urban heat island (UHI) effect.

    Adelaide’s climate is characterised by hot summers, with prolonged heatwaves a common feature, however they are getting more intense and frequent as our climate changes. High temperatures may reduce social and recreational activity in the City. This reduction in activity during heatwaves has a direct impact on businesses and leads to considerable economic losses.


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    What is Resilient East?

    Resilient East is a climate change adaption partnership initiative between the City of Adelaide, Campbelltown City Council, the Cities of Burnside, Norwood Payneham and St Peters, Prospect, Tea Tree Gully, Unley, the Town of Walkerville and the South Australian State Government.

    The goal of Resilient East is to improve the resilience of our communities, assets and infrastructure, local economies and natural environment so they can cope with the inevitable impacts and challenges of climate change.

    For more information please click here.

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    Why did we do this engagement?

    We want to understand how our community responds to hot weather and heatwaves, including where they go to stay out of the heat. This will inform our approach and priorities for planning, greening, emergency management, and resilience building for our community. 

    We encouraged you to tell us about the places within Greater Adelaide that you go to during extremely hot weather, and where you avoid – during the day and night.  We value community feedback and contribution to our local environments in creating a climate ready future.


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