Communities across Western Australia's north are preparing for a dangerous and prolonged heatwave, with authorities issuing urgent warnings as temperatures are forecast to soar into the high 40s Celsius.
Severe and Extreme Heatwave Warnings Activated
Emergency services in WA escalated their alert level on the afternoon of 12 January 2026, issuing a 'Watch and Act' notice for residents in several northern areas. The warning specifically targets people in Kununurra, Sturt Creek, Balgo, Tanami, Telfer, Kunawarritji, Gingerah, and St George Ranges.
The alert states that an extreme heatwave is actively impacting the region, with severe conditions also spreading across the Kimberley and Pilbara, including the Dampier Peninsula. The warning is unequivocal: "Heatwaves are dangerous. Take extra care to prevent heat stress and heat stroke. In extreme circumstances you could be hospitalised or die."
This public alert aligns with official warnings from the Bureau of Meteorology. The BOM has issued an extreme heatwave warning for the Pilbara and a severe heatwave warning for the Kimberley.
Scorching Temperatures and Fire Danger
Bureau of Meteorology meteorologist Jessica Lingard confirmed the intense conditions. "The heatwave is increasing temperatures through parts of the interior of WA, the Kimberley region, and especially around the Pilbara district," Ms Lingard said. She noted that significant heat is entrenched in the north and is unlikely to clear soon, with temperatures likely to remain in the mid-to-high 40s.
Forecasts predict peaks in the mid-to-high 40s for Pilbara towns including Marble Bar, Newman, Onslow, and Roebourne. The heat has already been severe, with Paraburdoo reaching 47 degrees Celsius on January 8 and Marble Bar hitting 44C. Ms Lingard indicated that some areas in the western Pilbara may experience temperatures close to 50C, though a lack of weather stations means these extremes may go officially unrecorded.
This scorching weather significantly elevates the bushfire risk across the state. Ms Lingard explained that hot, dry, and windy conditions create "bad fire weather days" that can fuel blazes. The concern is heightened by a drying trend expected in the Kimberley and Pilbara, with a lack of typical wet-season thunderstorms. This situation mirrors dangerous conditions in the eastern states, where catastrophic weather has been linked to out-of-control bushfires in Victoria.
Community Advice and Broader Impact
The BOM and emergency services are urging residents in affected areas to take immediate precautions to stay safe. Key advice includes:
- Seeking out a cool place to stay.
- Closing windows and drawing blinds to keep heat out.
- Using fans and air-conditioners where available.
The warnings highlight that severe heatwaves pose particular dangers for older people, babies, pregnant and breastfeeding women, and individuals with pre-existing medical conditions.
While the north swelters, Perth enjoyed a sunny weekend with a more moderate top of 33C on Sunday. The current heatwave follows an intense period last week, where Onslow Airport recorded a temperature of 49C on January 7 – the highest reading anywhere in the world that day. This event is part of a broader nationwide heatwave that, from January 8 to January 12, also slammed Tasmania, Victoria, South Australia, and New South Wales with severe conditions.
