Extreme heat alerts from MetService are aiming to keep Kiwis cool this summer as the service enters its third year.
Using 20 years of data, meteorologists have picked a threshold for 46 locations across the country, with the alert triggered if the mercury spikes.
“We want to make sure people have all the latest information to keep themselves, friends and family safe and well,” said MetService meteorologist John Law.
When an alert is triggered, a heat banner alert will appear on the forecast page on the MetService website and app. Forecasters will also include heat in the written forecast for each location.
The idea got a warm reception at Auckland’s Takapuna Beach this weekend.
“The more information we get, the more data we get, the smarter we are to make better decisions, I think,” said one beachgoer.
Another person told 1News that its good for people to be aware if its “super-hot” so they can take precautions against that.
Health expert Jeffery Lowe said he thinks it’s a “fantastic initiative”.
“The more information we can have about what the day is going to be like in terms of sun exposure and heat exposure, the better we can plan for that day.”
Those most vulnerable to the effects of heat are the very young and the very old, said Lowe.
“The more forewarning and the more we can be prepared, the more likely we’re going to avoid the medical consequences of excessive heat.”
The alerting is set to run until March 31, 2024 for this summer season.
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