The Bureau of Meteorology issues heatwave warnings before and during severe and extreme heatwaves in Victoria. Find out more about the Bureau’s heatwave warning system.
Early warning systems can help people and organisations prepare for forecast extreme heat and heatwaves, as identified in the State Emergency Management Plan – Extreme Heat Sub-Plan. Our guidance document can help inform your heat planning and preparedness activities.
National heatwave warning system
The Bureau of Meteorology issues heatwave warnings when 10% or more of a weather district is in a severe or extreme heatwave.
It is based on 3 days of unusually high maximum and minimum temperatures for that location.
They use 3 heatwave categories based on intensity:
- low-intensity
- severe
- extreme.
According to the Bureau during these events, the following risks apply.
- Low-intensity heatwaves - most people can cope
- Severe heatwaves - vulnerable people at risk
- Extreme heatwaves - everyone is at risk, even people who are healthy.
Heat warnings are available on the Bureau of Meteorology website, the Bureau of Meteorology app, and their telephone service 1300 978 022.
More information on these categories and how the Bureau calculates the heatwave forecast is available via the Bureau of Meteorology website.
Heat health warning
In response to a new Bureau severe or extreme heatwave warning, we will issue a heat health warning.
A heat health warning notifies the community, local governments, hospitals, health and community services of the risk and likely impact on people's health.
The Chief Health Officer may also issue a heat health warning when they consider forecast temperatures pose a health risk for example a single day of extremely high temperatures.
Find your forecast district
The following list shows all the local government areas in Victoria and what forecast district they belong to.
Map of Victorian forecast districts
Updated