Residents in **Western Australia's remote north west** are bracing for **unrelenting heat** as temperatures soar into the high 40s, with no relief in sight. This week, **Gascoyne Junction**, located 940 kilometers north of Perth, came close to breaking a **65-year national record** of three consecutive days above **49°C**.

![Heatwave in Gascoyne Junction](https://live-production.wcms.abc-cdn.net.au/16805c85b612cc89eac9a053ee5dbb68?impolicy=wcms_crop_resize&cropH=3061&cropW=4592&xPos=0&yPos=194&width=862&height=575)
*Jim Caunt expects extreme heat to last until the end of summer.*

**Upper Gascoyne Shire president Jim Caunt** has expressed concerns that without **decent rainfall**, the region may continue to experience these extreme conditions until summer's end. According to **Bureau of Meteorology meteorologist Bob Tarr**, it’s unusual for such high temperatures to persist in areas like **Gascoyne Junction** for an extended period. Historically, temperatures above **50°C** have only been recorded seven times in Australia, four of which occurred in **regional WA**.

**Heat Risk**: The recent death of a tourist at **Mount Augustus**, approximately 320 km from Gascoyne Junction, underscores the dangers of heatwaves. **David Hammarquist**, who manages **Mount Augustus Station**, warns that the region is one of the harshest environments in Australia, where temperatures can reach **48°C** even in the shade.

**Tough Work on the Mines**: In **Newman**, located 700 km northeast, residents are on high alert for intense storms that often follow heatwaves. **Mark Brenmuhl**, a mine worker, noted that the extreme heat can be mentally draining, especially for those working directly in the open-pit iron ore mine. Temperatures in **Newman** are expected to hit **45°C** on Friday and Saturday.

![Mt Whaleback Mine Operations](https://live-production.wcms.abc-cdn.net.au/15a808846df1abbb2d800f8c7bbf830c?impolicy=wcms_crop_resize&cropH=2216&cropW=3324&xPos=607&yPos=0&width=862&height=575)
*Mr Brenmuhl believes heatwaves can take a toll on mine workers.*

Temperatures have sat in the mid-to-high 40s for most of the week across the Pilbara and Gascoyne with little relief in sight. 

1 month ago Remote In Australia Articles Digested