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This week, a searing heatwave has swept across vast regions of Australia, serving as a stark reminder of the importance of shielding ourselves from the sun during daylight hours. However, the intense rise in nighttime temperatures has emerged as a significant health concern as well.
Despite the mercury soaring to nearly 50 degrees in parts of Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia, the Australian Capital Territory, and Queensland during the day, some areas have continued to experience stifling heat with nighttime temperatures exceeding 34 degrees, according to Weatherzone.
Among these areas is the small town of Marree in northern South Australia, where residents endured two consecutive nights with minimum temperatures remaining at 34 degrees, as recorded early on Wednesday and Thursday.
These sweltering nights followed scorching daytime highs, which reached above 48 degrees, exacerbating the discomfort for the community.
In Adelaide, the situation was equally oppressive on Monday night, with temperatures stubbornly clinging above 36 degrees at midnight—significantly higher than the city’s average daytime maximum for January by more than seven degrees.
A heatwave is more technical than just a spate of hot days.
The Bureau of Meteorology declares a heatwave when the maximum and minimum temperatures are unusually hot compared to the local climate over three days, and the mercury fails to adequately cool overnight.
The ability for people to recover from hot days is impacted when they’re followed by very warm nights.
One effect is beginning the day with high temperatures, which may result in more hours of daytime extreme heat.
Longer periods of scorching conditions also impacts the bodies of humans and animals by reducing recovery times.
Keeping cool on a sticky night
NSW Health warns very warm nights accompanying daytime heatwaves are dangerous, as they prevent the body recovering from heat exposure.
During these periods, especially if power outages occur, it is crucial to take steps to stay cool and hydrated.
It’s important to stay hydrated, even if you don’t feel thirsty, and reduce your intake of caffeinated drinks.
If you have air conditioning, keep it on through the evening. If you don’t have it, spend daytime in a public library or shopping mall to keep your body cooler.
Remember heat stress can occur at night after a warm day. So look out for signs of heat exhaustion, such as dizziness, nausea, muscle cramps and heavy sweating.
More serious is heatstroke, which has symptoms of confusion or slurred speech. This is a serious health problem and you should seek medical help immediately. 
The good news is relief from the sticky nights is expected by late Saturday or Sunday for Adelaide and Melbourne, while residents in Sydney Canberra will have to wait until Monday.
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