Statement released on recent heat in northern and central Australia

24/03/2015

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a Special Climate Statement confirming record-breaking temperatures associated with an exceptional hot spell during March 2015, which affected large parts of northern and central Australia.

The event included the highest temperature ever observed in Australia for the second half of March.

Other significant climate statistics from this period:

• Hottest area-averaged March day on record for Northern Territory and Queensland, set on 19 March 2015;
• Maximum temperatures averaged 5 to 7°C above average over most of the Gulf Country from 6 to 19 March 2015;
• Individual temperature records set on 19 March 2015:
  • Birdsville—highest temperature ever recorded in Australia for the second half of March; 46.5°C
  • Jervois—highest maximum temperature for March for the Northern Territory; 44.0°C
  • Moomba—hottest ever for South Australia this far into autumn; 45.4°C

To read the Special Climate Statement go to: www.bom.gov.au/climate/current/special-statements.shtml