The Bureau of Meteorology issued a severe heatwave warning for Mount Isa, ahead of a January week with six 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.

Mount Isa has a historic baseline of 135 days over 35°C per year (based on 1981-2010 data). More recently, the area experienced over 150 days of 35°C+ heat in 2023.

According to CSIRO-BoM projections, under a high emissions scenario, Mount Isa can expect up to 250 days per year over 35°C, and up to 145 annual days over 40°C, by 2090. Yet, if emissions are drastically limited, Mount Isa could keep the number of days over 35°C to just 178 in 2090, similar to the historic baseline.