Survive the extreme summer with this new technology designed to protect Aussies!

Australia is no stranger to scorching summers, where the blazing sun doesn’t just cause discomfort—it poses real health threats.

As the temperatures soar, technology is stepping up to help Aussies protect themselves.


Heat Watch app

Researchers at the University of Sydney’s climate chamber lab have been recreating historical heat waves, like those of Melbourne in 2014 and Adelaide in 2009.

They have studied the heat’s effects on participants, focusing on factors such as heart rate and dehydration levels.

Ollie Jay, the Director of the Heat and Health Incubator at the University of Sydney, noted: ‘The way in which extreme heat impacts a pregnant woman versus a child, versus somebody who's working in a factory or an older person living out in Western Sydney—the challenges are very different.’


drought-3589606_1280.jpg
Heatwaves have serious health impacts, especially for Australians over 65, pregnant individuals, young children, and the homeless. Image source: Pixabay


Their findings have led to the development of the ‘Heat Watch’ app.

More than just a temperature monitor, this app offers tailored advice to users, considering variables like humidity, cloud cover, and wind conditions.

‘It’s not just the temperature that impacts your health. It's the humidity, it's whether it's cloudy or clear, whether it's windy or still,’ Jay said.

Whether it’s a recommendation to wet your skin or suggestions about when to open windows, the app equips users with actionable tips.

In cases of extreme heat, it may even advise against the use of fans.

‘Once the temperature goes above 40 degrees in most circumstances, electric fans will actually be detrimental,’ Jay explained.

According to Nine News, the Heat Watch prototype app is set to be available this month, however, at the time of reporting, we were unable to find it on the App Store.


AirRater app

Australia's climate concerns aren’t limited to just heat. Air quality plays a crucial role in our health as well.

The ‘AirRater’ app, designed by the University of Tasmania Professor Fay Johnston, alerts users about air quality changes and potential hazards like high pollen counts.

‘The everyday fluctuations in air quality and pollen levels actually have a really profound impact on our health,’ University of Tasmania Professor and Air Rater creator Fay Johnston said.


AirRater.png
AirRater monitors air pollution using a network of stations. Image source: AirRater


Drawing from Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) and Bureau of Meteorology data, it notifies users in advance of impending conditions, allowing them to prepare and even monitor symptoms.

‘In the app, over time it will correlate (symptoms) with the environment—so it's a way to tell whether it's grass pollen or smoke,’ Johnston said.

AirRater not only monitors temperature and alerts you about extreme weather but also tracks air pollution through a network of monitoring stations.

In areas without stations, it fills gaps using modelling developed by CSIRO.

Apple users can download the app here. Android users can find it here.
Key Takeaways

  • New technology is being used to track dangerous weather conditions and prevent negative health outcomes as Australia prepares for extreme summer heat.
  • Researchers at Sydney University have developed a ‘Heat Watch’ app, which provides personalised advice for cooling down based on various environmental conditions.
  • The ‘Heat Watch’ app's suggestions can range from water application to the skin to advice on opening or closing windows, and even turning off fans in certain situations.
  • An Australian app called ‘AirRater’, which focuses on air quality, is also available. It alerts users about changing conditions and helps track symptoms related to air quality and pollen levels.
Members, how are you gearing up for the summer heat? Please share any apps or tips you use to stay cool during heat wave attacks in the comments below!
 
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Can you please keep us informed re when the 'Heatwave App' does become available.
 
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Please can Ollie Jay explain how fans could be detrimental, just saying so doesn't make me believe it. I like to know the reasoning behind advice people are giving me.
You sound just like my husband, he likes to know the ins & outs of a lot of things, especially electrical advice. I was wondering why a fan would be detrimental. I tend to ignore most things these days unless I think it sounds really good, my 71 yr old brain gets very overloaded these days, limited space left. 🤣
 
My simple non-scientific brain suggests the fan is drawing heat from your ceiling, which in turn is drawing heat from the space in your roof cavity, which in turn is drawing heat from your roof tiles or metal roofing, which in turn is very hot from the heat from the sun. As long as your roof (externally) is hot from the sun I believe there is no way you can cool the air being moved around by a fan. Sitting close to the fan with perhaps moisture CONSTANTLY on your skin would be one way you’d get some relief.

An air conditioner that actually BLOWS COLD AIR is, maybe, the only way to cool your place down. Turn that off in the middle of the day and within a few minutes you will start to feel the heat from the roof bearing down again.
 
My simple non-scientific brain suggests the fan is drawing heat from your ceiling, which in turn is drawing heat from the space in your roof cavity, which in turn is drawing heat from your roof tiles or metal roofing, which in turn is very hot from the heat from the sun. As long as your roof (externally) is hot from the sun I believe there is no way you can cool the air being moved around by a fan. Sitting close to the fan with perhaps moisture CONSTANTLY on your skin would be one way you’d get some relief.

An air conditioner that actually BLOWS COLD AIR is, maybe, the only way to cool your place down. Turn that off in the middle of the day and within a few minutes you will start to feel the heat from the roof bearing down again.
Great explanation Catherine but we do have a lot of insulation in our roof cavity which does stop the heat coming down. I’m more concerned about the cold not so much the heat, Tasmania doesn’t really have heatwaves though my husband & brother don’t agree with me.
 
I have a personal weather app. It involves opening the front door, taking a few steps and looking around at the sky and feeling the air temperature, all instantaneous and in real time.

It's amazing....
Good one Veggie! That’s exactly what I say to Ted when he’s checking the radar to see if it’s about to rain.
 
My simple non-scientific brain suggests the fan is drawing heat from your ceiling, which in turn is drawing heat from the space in your roof cavity, which in turn is drawing heat from your roof tiles or metal roofing, which in turn is very hot from the heat from the sun. As long as your roof (externally) is hot from the sun I believe there is no way you can cool the air being moved around by a fan. Sitting close to the fan with perhaps moisture CONSTANTLY on your skin would be one way you’d get some relief.

An air conditioner that actually BLOWS COLD AIR is, maybe, the only way to cool your place down. Turn that off in the middle of the day and within a few minutes you will start to feel the heat from the roof bearing down again.
The article says nothing about it being a ceiling fan. I understand what you are saying and the ceiling fan can actually heat the room, it's just the breezy condition the fan creates makes one experience a wind chill factor. However, a pedestal fan set lower and at a different angle would cool a little as it's circulating air that is cooler than that higher up.
 
Australia is no stranger to scorching summers, where the blazing sun doesn’t just cause discomfort—it poses real health threats.

As the temperatures soar, technology is stepping up to help Aussies protect themselves.


Heat Watch app

Researchers at the University of Sydney’s climate chamber lab have been recreating historical heat waves, like those of Melbourne in 2014 and Adelaide in 2009.

They have studied the heat’s effects on participants, focusing on factors such as heart rate and dehydration levels.

Ollie Jay, the Director of the Heat and Health Incubator at the University of Sydney, noted: ‘The way in which extreme heat impacts a pregnant woman versus a child, versus somebody who's working in a factory or an older person living out in Western Sydney—the challenges are very different.’


View attachment 32937
Heatwaves have serious health impacts, especially for Australians over 65, pregnant individuals, young children, and the homeless. Image source: Pixabay


Their findings have led to the development of the ‘Heat Watch’ app.

More than just a temperature monitor, this app offers tailored advice to users, considering variables like humidity, cloud cover, and wind conditions.

‘It’s not just the temperature that impacts your health. It's the humidity, it's whether it's cloudy or clear, whether it's windy or still,’ Jay said.

Whether it’s a recommendation to wet your skin or suggestions about when to open windows, the app equips users with actionable tips.

In cases of extreme heat, it may even advise against the use of fans.

‘Once the temperature goes above 40 degrees in most circumstances, electric fans will actually be detrimental,’ Jay explained.

According to Nine News, the Heat Watch prototype app is set to be available this month, however, at the time of reporting, we were unable to find it on the App Store.


AirRater app

Australia's climate concerns aren’t limited to just heat. Air quality plays a crucial role in our health as well.

The ‘AirRater’ app, designed by the University of Tasmania Professor Fay Johnston, alerts users about air quality changes and potential hazards like high pollen counts.

‘The everyday fluctuations in air quality and pollen levels actually have a really profound impact on our health,’ University of Tasmania Professor and Air Rater creator Fay Johnston said.


View attachment 32936
AirRater monitors air pollution using a network of stations. Image source: AirRater


Drawing from Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) and Bureau of Meteorology data, it notifies users in advance of impending conditions, allowing them to prepare and even monitor symptoms.

‘In the app, over time it will correlate (symptoms) with the environment—so it's a way to tell whether it's grass pollen or smoke,’ Johnston said.

AirRater not only monitors temperature and alerts you about extreme weather but also tracks air pollution through a network of monitoring stations.

In areas without stations, it fills gaps using modelling developed by CSIRO.

Apple users can download the app here. Android users can find it here.
Key Takeaways

  • New technology is being used to track dangerous weather conditions and prevent negative health outcomes as Australia prepares for extreme summer heat.
  • Researchers at Sydney University have developed a ‘Heat Watch’ app, which provides personalised advice for cooling down based on various environmental conditions.
  • The ‘Heat Watch’ app's suggestions can range from water application to the skin to advice on opening or closing windows, and even turning off fans in certain situations.
  • An Australian app called ‘AirRater’, which focuses on air quality, is also available. It alerts users about changing conditions and helps track symptoms related to air quality and pollen levels.
Members, how are you gearing up for the summer heat? Please share any apps or tips you use to stay cool during heat wave attacks in the comments below!
What heat wave in Victoria 🤔hmmm wonder when will it get here?
 
What heat wave in Victoria 🤔hmmm wonder when will it get here?
I used to live in a flood prone street in Dandenong. A few years ago, BREAKING NEWS.

"Residents are warned of flash flooding in Melbourne's south eastern suburbs with localised heavy falls".

Well that worked out well for the BOM. The resultant rain didn't even wet the footpaths and roads! They sure BOMbed out there!
 
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Reactions: Ezzy and Leenie
I used to live in a flood prone street in Dandenong. A few years ago, BREAKING NEWS.

"Residents are warned of flash flooding in Melbourne's south eastern suburbs with localised heavy falls".

Well that worked out well for the BOM. The resultant rain didn't even wet the footpaths and roads! They sure BOMbed out there!
When has BOM ever got it right ,I ignore them , we were told heat and dry ha ha all we have gotten is storms and homes wrecked constant flooding etc . They can’t even get that right.
 
Living in the driest state in Australia, where we regularly have many days in summer with the temperature in the mid 40 degrees or higher…you just learn to live with it.
No app is going to change the weather, it’s life!! Close the windows, pull down the blinds, close the curtains, stay in doors.
 
Please can Ollie Jay explain how fans could be detrimental, just saying so doesn't make me believe it. I like to know the reasoning behind advice people are giving me
Good one Veggie! That’s exactly what I say to Ted when he’s checking the radar to see if it’s about to rain.
My rain gauge is the ants ,when they are on the move you know it’s about to rain .
 
Great explanation Catherine but we do have a lot of insulation in our roof cavity which does stop the heat coming down. I’m more concerned about the cold not so much the heat, Tasmania doesn’t really have heatwaves though my husband & brother don’t agree with me.

I too have woollen batts as insulation in my roof but that does not completely stop the sun’s heat warming the roof cavity to unbearable temperatures. Start cooling your home with air conditioning (if you have it) BEFORE the roof heats up too much. That way it won’t take as long to cool the room but you cannot just ‘switch off the sun’. So it becomes a continuous run of the air conditioner until the sun goes to sleep itself! That’s an expensive option but as older people we need to stay cool, especially in my case living in Brisbane with its humidity also, so we have to just suck it up - pay the price to be cool and safe or swelter and put our lives at risk.

If people around the world were more careful in years gone by and we all looked after our environment, perhaps it may have been a slightly better outcome. I know there are people on this site that believe looking after our environment and global warming is all bulls**t but that’s their opinion.
 

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