The Bureau of Meteorology issued a severe heatwave warning for Innisfail. 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.

Innisfail has a historic baseline of just two days over 35°C per year (based on 1981-2010 data). More recently, the area experienced over 6 days of 35°C+ heat in 2020.

According to CSIRO-BoM projections, under a high emissions scenario, Innisfail can expect up to 69 days per year over 35°C – more than 30X the historic baseline – and up to 15 annual days over 40°C, by 2090. Yet, if emissions are drastically limited, Innisfail could keep the number of days over 35°C to just 18 in 2090.