The South Australian State Emergency Service (SES) is urging people to prepare for the forecast heatwave conditions across the state over the coming days.

Temperatures are forecast to remain in the 30C and 40C range for the next several days in the Adelaide metropolitan area, with minimum temperatures forecast to stay above 20C.

A severe heatwave warning for the Adelaide metropolitan area has been issued by the Bureau of Meteorology.

While conditions on the south coast and Kangaroo Island are not forecast to be as severe, they will still reach the 30s, with a top of 37C predicted for Saturday 9 March.

With multiple events occurring throughout the state, the SES encourages members of the public to consider and plan how they and their loved ones will keep cool and stay hydrated while enjoying the festivities this long weekend.

The SES advises the following:

• Keep children and pets safe by never leaving them alone in a parked car—even if it’s just for a short time or with air conditioning on/windows open.
• Stay safe by not parking cars or setting up camp under trees, and seeking shade away from large trees and over hanging branches.
• Drink plenty of water throughout the day. Make sure small children, older people and people with certain health conditions are also drinking enough water.
• Use air conditioners and fans. If you don’t have either of these, spend the day somewhere that does, such as a shopping centre or a public library.
• Have plenty of bowls of water, cool spots and shade for your pets.

SES Chief of Staff Derren Halleday says heatwaves cause more deaths in Australia than any other natural hazard.

“Taking a few sensible precautions during heatwaves can greatly minimise the risk to ourselves, our family and friends and also our pets.”

“Hot weather such as this can lead to trees feeling heat-stress, which can result in trees falling or dropping large branches. 

“It is important that people are aware of this and take the necessary precautions, including finding alternative shade options away from large trees and overhanging branches.”

“Staying hydrated by drinking enough water is very important, and we need to ensure our children, older relatives, or family and friends with certain health conditions are drinking enough water to keep them safe.”

“One of the key elements of a heatwave is that our bodies don’t have the opportunity to cool down at night. Prepare a cool room in your house using air conditioning, fans, curtains and blinds, and sleep in the coolest part of the house—this may not be your bedroom.”

Senior Meteorologist Jonathan Fischer says a lengthy period of northerly winds across South Australia will start from today, Friday 9 March.

“A severe heatwave is the second of three tiers of heatwave and are less frequent than the low-intensity heatwaves that we see regularly in summer. And we know a severe heatwave is likely to be more challenging for vulnerable people.

“The last time we had a severe heatwave for Adelaide and the south of the state was February last year, so a bit over a year since we’ve had prolonged heat of this magnitude.”

Chief Public Health Officer, Professor Nicola Spurrier says babies and young children, pregnant women, the elderly and people who have chronic health conditions are more at risk than others.

“Prepare by checking fans and air-conditioners are working properly and learning about the signs of heat-related illness. 

“If you don’t have an air conditioner, you can keep cool with a wet towel applied to the skin and by using fans.”