Southeast Australia heatwave detailed in Bureau statement

20/01/2014

A Special Climate Statement issued by the Bureau of Meteorology today has detailed one of the most significant multi-day heatwaves on record to affect southeast Australia during the period from 13 to 18 January 2014.

The major area affected by the heatwave comprised Victoria, Tasmania (particularly the western half), southern New South Wales away from the coast, and the southern half of South Australia.

Over most parts of this region, the heatwave ranked alongside those of January-February 2009, January 1939 and January 1908 as one of the most significant multi-day heatwaves on record.

The heatwave was more notable for persistent heat than for individual extreme hot days. Numerous records were broken. State-average data reveal that Victoria had its hottest four-day period on record, for both maximum and daily mean temperatures.

Other significant climate statistics from this period include:

• Adelaide recorded five consecutive days of 42C or above, and Melbourne four consecutive days of 41C or above.

• Keith, Naracoorte, and Mount Gambier (South Australia), and Tumbarumba and Cabramurra (New South Wales) all recorded their hottest day on record.