Record breaking heatwave to continue this week
09/01/2013
The Bureau of Meteorology confirms extreme temperatures to continue for the next week, and provides a round-up of national temperature records broken during the January heatwave.
Assistant Director of Weather Services, Alasdair Hainsworth, said the heatwave had proven to be every bit as severe as forecast, both in the huge area affected and in the temperatures recorded.
“The cool change across southeastern Australia last night has delivered some relief for southern Australia, but we are by no means through the woods yet, with very hot temperatures forecast for Western Australia today, and building again throughout central Australia,” said Mr Hainsworth.
“The late onset of the monsoon, that would bring some relief in the way of cloud cover and rain, has not yet eventuated. As a result extremely hot air masses are developing in the north of the continent and being driven into southern Australia ahead of each cold front.
“The strong, gusty winds associated with these fronts, the high fuel loads which continue to dry out following a drier than average end to 2012, and extreme heat in January are causing extremely challenging fire conditions for our emergency services partners.
“We are closely monitoring the situation for signs of the development of the northern monsoon, which will provide some relief from these protracted heatwave conditions. Tropical cyclone activity is also being closely monitored with tropical cyclone Narelle in Western Australia’s Pilbara coast,” said Mr Hainsworth.
Assistant Director of Climate Information Services, Neil Plummer, said the heatwave had broken national records. This is consistent with the trend of an increase in extreme heat events associated with climate change.
“On Monday the average maximum daily temperature record for Australia was broken at 40.33°C.
The previous record, 40.17°C on 21 December 1972, was held for 40 years. The daily average maximum temperature yesterday (8 January 2013) is a close third at 40.11°C.
“The number of consecutive days where the national average maximum daily temperature exceeded 39°C has also been broken this week – seven (7) days (between 2-8 January 2013), almost doubling the previous record of four (4) consecutive days in 1973,” said Mr Plummer.
Extreme heat events, such as this one, have wide ranging impacts across agricultural and horticultural sectors, infrastructure and transport, and not least human health and safety. The Bureau is also providing advice through federal and state emergency services partnerships to assist during this heatwave and its impacts.
For further information go to www.bom.gov.au for forecast temperatures, weather and warnings in your state and local region. Interviews with meteorologists and climate staff can be arranged on request, details provided below.
For the latest national warnings go to the Bureau's warning page.
Go to Special Climate Statement for further information.
