Perth to swelter through at least two more days over 40 degrees

Perth is set to swelter through at least two more days over 40 degrees in the coming week, with another to reach a predicted 39 degrees.

The city broke its record for the most days hotter than 40 degrees in February on Thursday, and that record could even be doubled by the end of the month.

Perth has sweltered through multiple heatwaves this summer.

Experts have raised concerns over the effects the heatwave could have on the health of both people and wildlife exposed to the extreme heat for too long.

Epilepsy WA chief-executive Emma Buitendag said for people living with the condition, lack of sleep and dehydration were common seizure triggers – both a high possibility when exposed to extreme temperatures.

“This record heat is adversely impacting West Aussies with this chronic neurological disorder,” she said.

“The heightened feelings of anxiety that come with ongoing hot days can exacerbate the ongoing anxiety, depression and PTSD that individuals and families already commonly experience.”

Epilepsy WA volunteer Hayley, who has the condition, said it was not worth going out when temperatures were this high, but it felt isolating to have to stay home.

“I don’t want to have a seizure on the bus or in the city, so I stay at home when it’s this hot, for me, overheating is definitely a seizure trigger,” she said.

St John WA reported 18 people called triple zero for heat-related illnesses during a two-day heatwave in January – the majority made up of men and women aged between 40 and 86. The temperatures predicted in the next two days have the healthcare service on high alert.

West Australian Seabird Rescue teams are also worried about the heat, and have called on members of the public to be on the lookout for any distressed animals.

The rescue group said it was particularly concerned about Black Swans, which had been spotted at Floreat, Cottesloe and North Beach in need of help over the past week due to heat stress.

“With the unrelenting scorching weather, we have received many calls reporting weak and stranded Black Swans on our Perth beaches,” they wrote on Facebook.

“Young juveniles often find themselves lost, severely dehydrated and starving on the searing sand. If a stranded swan is healthy and well, it will take off and fly to another wetland when approached.

“If our rescue volunteers can catch it, there is generally something wrong.”

Bureau of Meteorology duty forecaster Joey Rawson said the continuing heatwave conditions were the result of three troughs forming one after another.

There have been seven days above 40 degrees so far this summer, all in 2024.

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