The Bureau of Meteorology issued a severe heatwave warning for Canberra, ahead of a December week with two days over 35°C. Severe heatwaves can be dangerous for many people, especially older people, babies, children, pregnant and breastfeeding women, people with medical conditions and people who are unwell.

Canberra has a historic baseline averaging 7 days over 35°C per year (based on 2008-2022 data). More recently, the city experienced over 9 days of 35°C+ heat in 2020.

According to CSIRO-BoM projections, under a high emissions scenario, Canberra can expect averages of up to 36 days per year over 35°C, and up to 22 annual days over 40°C, by 2090. Yet, if emissions are drastically limited, Canberra could keep the average number of days over 35°C to just 16 in 2090, similar to the historic baseline.