And the last few days have seen temperatures across northern South Australia and southern parts of the Northern Territory as much as 15°C above average.

It was 2–12°C above average from Townsville all the way down to Melbourne for several days in a row. And Sydney recorded its hottest August day since 1995 when the mercury hit 30.3C.

What has surprised meteorologists – and grey nomads – has been the huge geographical spread of the winter heatwave which has seen flowers and shrubs across the country blooming way earlier than normal.

It is clear that travellers need to be prepared for higher temperatures.

The Government’s Smart Traveller website warns that extreme heat can be dangerous, especially if you’re not used to it. It says UV radiation can be dangerously high during periods of heat and cause sunburn in as little as 11 minutes, and higher humidity makes it harder for your body to cool itself through sweating.

“You can get sick when the body can’t cool itself properly,” it says. “This can cause illnesses like heat exhaustion and heat cramps … heat exhaustion can lead to heatstroke, which can be fatal if not treated.”

For grey nomads, air con, of course, is the best way to guarantee ‘sensible’ temperatures in the van but it can be a huge draw on power resources, particularly for travellers spending extended periods out in the bush. A more sustainable option for many is to install electric fans, and making use of the awning or pulling down the blinds is also an easy way to keep the in-van temperature that bit lower.

Another obvious heat-busting trick is to park up in the shade if and when possible, and it’s always a tad cooler to camp near water.

For grey nomads not using air con, it also makes sense to encourage air flow through the caravan or motorhome by opening the windows, and to cook outside when practical to do so.

• How do you cope in extreme heat? Comment below.

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