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National heat records could topple this week as parts of Australia swelter through temperatures approaching 50C.
The Bureau of Meteorology has warned that an "exceptionally hot air mass" will spread across the country in the lead-up to Sunday's summer solstice, with temperatures likely to be worsened by a lack of moisture in the ground due to the ongoing drought.
A severe three-day heatwave is expected to cover most of NSW beginning on Thursday. Temperatures in Penrith, in Sydney's west, will soar to 46C on Saturday, and 37C in the CBD.
Adelaide is expected to reach a high of 40C today, with the maximum to stay in the low 40s until the temperature peaks at 44C on Friday.
Friday will also bring a forecast top of 41C in Melbourne, while temperatures in Canberra will climb to 43C on Saturday.
Brisbane reached 40C for the first time in more than a decade yesterday during its equal hottest December day on record – and climbed to 41.7C in the afternoon - its hottest
December day since 2004. A cool change is expected for today, with temperatures dropping back to 30C.
The BoM says the week's hot weather could break heat records nationally and in individual states.
"Australia's warmest day on record occurred in January 2013, when the average maximum temperature across the continent was 40.3C," climatologist Dr Blair Trewin said today.
"We're closely monitoring the development and progression of this heat but, based on current forecasts, we could see that record broken this week."
Meteorologist Sarah Scully said severe-to-extreme heatwaves in several areas will increase the risk of heat-related illnesses.
"It's important people follow the advice of health authorities, stay up to date with the latest forecasts and warnings from the bureau and remember to check in on any vulnerable family and friends," she said.
Community warnings in South Australia
In South Australia, the state government has issued a code red to boost homelessness services across Adelaide until Friday.
"Keeping vulnerable South Australians safe and well in the extreme heat forecast over the next few days is our priority," Human Services Minister Michelle Lensink said.
Baptist Care SA is among the organisations that will stay open around the clock to give homeless people a place to keep cool and well-hydrated.
Temperatures are expected to be even hotter in regional areas, with the town of Oodnadatta, in South Australia's Far North, among those predicted to endure five consecutive days of 45C or hotter, including three consecutive 47C days.
Other places that could experience temperatures in the high 40s are parts of the Eyre Peninsula, Riverland, far west and north-west of the state.
Senior SA forecaster Paul Lainio said state records could be under threat during the week of "exceptional heat".
"The record for South Australia in December is 49.1C in Moomba back in 1972," he told reporters in Adelaide.
"We need to get up to those sort of levels to see records. It is possible, though, in some of those locations in the west and north of South Australia."
Mr Lainio said Friday would be the "danger day", with a cool change expected to move through later on.
"That might bring us some joy but not before we have some hot, dry windy conditions... very dangerous fire weather conditions to finish things off," he said.
Current heat records around the country
According to Weatherzone's Ben Domensino, these were the nation's temperature records as of 9am, 16 December, 2019 (most of which, he noted, were set during January and February, making any records that might be set this week highly unusual):
"For some places, it could even rival any temperature previously measured by official standardised meteorological equipment since the early 1900s."
© AAP 2019
https://www.9news.com.au/national/a...-records/43def1fd-d782-4af1-a4cd-8b055a0670e6
The Bureau of Meteorology has warned that an "exceptionally hot air mass" will spread across the country in the lead-up to Sunday's summer solstice, with temperatures likely to be worsened by a lack of moisture in the ground due to the ongoing drought.
A severe three-day heatwave is expected to cover most of NSW beginning on Thursday. Temperatures in Penrith, in Sydney's west, will soar to 46C on Saturday, and 37C in the CBD.
Adelaide is expected to reach a high of 40C today, with the maximum to stay in the low 40s until the temperature peaks at 44C on Friday.
Friday will also bring a forecast top of 41C in Melbourne, while temperatures in Canberra will climb to 43C on Saturday.
Brisbane reached 40C for the first time in more than a decade yesterday during its equal hottest December day on record – and climbed to 41.7C in the afternoon - its hottest
December day since 2004. A cool change is expected for today, with temperatures dropping back to 30C.
The BoM says the week's hot weather could break heat records nationally and in individual states.
"Australia's warmest day on record occurred in January 2013, when the average maximum temperature across the continent was 40.3C," climatologist Dr Blair Trewin said today.
"We're closely monitoring the development and progression of this heat but, based on current forecasts, we could see that record broken this week."
Meteorologist Sarah Scully said severe-to-extreme heatwaves in several areas will increase the risk of heat-related illnesses.
"It's important people follow the advice of health authorities, stay up to date with the latest forecasts and warnings from the bureau and remember to check in on any vulnerable family and friends," she said.
Community warnings in South Australia
In South Australia, the state government has issued a code red to boost homelessness services across Adelaide until Friday.
"Keeping vulnerable South Australians safe and well in the extreme heat forecast over the next few days is our priority," Human Services Minister Michelle Lensink said.
Baptist Care SA is among the organisations that will stay open around the clock to give homeless people a place to keep cool and well-hydrated.
Temperatures are expected to be even hotter in regional areas, with the town of Oodnadatta, in South Australia's Far North, among those predicted to endure five consecutive days of 45C or hotter, including three consecutive 47C days.
Other places that could experience temperatures in the high 40s are parts of the Eyre Peninsula, Riverland, far west and north-west of the state.
Senior SA forecaster Paul Lainio said state records could be under threat during the week of "exceptional heat".
"The record for South Australia in December is 49.1C in Moomba back in 1972," he told reporters in Adelaide.
"We need to get up to those sort of levels to see records. It is possible, though, in some of those locations in the west and north of South Australia."
Mr Lainio said Friday would be the "danger day", with a cool change expected to move through later on.
"That might bring us some joy but not before we have some hot, dry windy conditions... very dangerous fire weather conditions to finish things off," he said.
Current heat records around the country
According to Weatherzone's Ben Domensino, these were the nation's temperature records as of 9am, 16 December, 2019 (most of which, he noted, were set during January and February, making any records that might be set this week highly unusual):
- Australia: 50.7C - Oodnadatta, SA on January 2, 1960
- SA: 50.7C - Oodnadatta on January 2, 1960
- WA: 50.5C - Mardie on February 19, 1998
- NSW/ACT: 49.7C - Menindee on January 10, 1939
- QLD: 49.5C - Birdsville on December 24th, 19
- VIC: 48.8C - Hopetoun on February 7, 2009
- NT: 48.3C - Finke on January 1 and 2, 1960
- TAS: 42.2C - Scamander on January 30, 2009
"For some places, it could even rival any temperature previously measured by official standardised meteorological equipment since the early 1900s."
© AAP 2019
https://www.9news.com.au/national/a...-records/43def1fd-d782-4af1-a4cd-8b055a0670e6
