Weipa swelters through 39 straight days above 36 degrees

Weipa, in Far North Queensland, has recorded 39 consecutive days above 36 degrees as a prolonged heatwave continues across the Gulf Country and Cape York Peninsula, according to an ABC News report.

The town's temperature reached 39.9 degrees on a Tuesday, making it Weipa's hottest November day on record. The Gulf and Peninsula have been under severe heatwave conditions for weeks.

Residents said even people used to the tropical climate were struggling. One local described being hot and sweaty all day, while a baker said the temperature climbed so quickly that there was only a short window to get food into the oven. Another resident said many people were waiting until nearly dark to walk their dogs.

A local dog shelter has changed its opening hours so that animals and volunteers are not outside during the hottest part of the day. A volunteer said the heat lasts from sunrise to sunset at present.

A weather expert said this is the hottest time of year in late spring and early summer, when clear skies and more sunshine let the air heat up strongly.

Some communities near the tip of Cape York are also dealing with a prolonged water shortage. For the thousands of people living in government housing, there is little relief indoors. One local said elders in the community do not have air conditioning, which can make the conditions unbearable.

Queensland Health has urged people in the warning zone to take extra care. At the time of the report, the heatwave was not expected to ease until the end of the following week. Residents said the first storm to bring 10 to 20 millimetres of rain would be a welcome relief.