The Bureau of Meteorology issued a severe heatwave warning for Fitzroy Crossing and the Kimberley Region of Western Australia, ahead of a December week with five days over 40°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.

Fitzroy Crossing has a historic baseline averaging 215 days over 35°C per year (based on 1999-2022 data). More recently, the area experienced over 235 days of 35°C+ heat in 2021.

According to CSIRO-BoM projections, under a high emissions scenario, Fitzroy Crossing can expect averages of up to 328 days per year over 35°C, and up to 225 annual days over 40°C, by 2090. Yet, if emissions are drastically limited, Fitzroy Crossing could keep the average number of days over 35°C to just 254 in 2090, similar to the historic baseline.