'Exceptional' heatwave challenges records [View all]

Source: Sydney Morning Herald

"The extreme January heat has prompted the Bureau of Meteorology to issue a special climate statement, with further updates planned as the scorching temperatures continue."

(snip)


“This event is ongoing with significant records likely to be set,” the bureau statement said. “A particular feature of this heatwave event has been the exceptional spatial extent of high temperatures.”

The final four months of 2012 were the hottest on record for Australia and January is making an early run at adding to the sequence of especially hot weather.

“Australia-wide, and for individual states, we are currently well above average by many degrees,” said Aaron Coutts-Smith, the bureau's NSW manager for climate services


http://www.smh.com.au/environment/weather/exceptional-heatwave-challenges-records-20130108-2cdn9.html


Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/environment/weather/exceptional-heatwave-challenges-records-20130108-2cdn9.html

---

Just stepped out of my air-conditioned office for the first time today to get a coffee, and the heat from the pavement hit me full on. Supposed to be 43 deg. in Sydney, which is 109 deg. on the Fahrenheit scale. I don't remember temperatures quite that high, ever.

I've read that temps tomorrow in Central Australia will reach 54 deg. The world record is 57 deg. The Dept. of Metereology has had to think up a new colour for its weather charts to reflect the new high temperatures.

And if Tony Abbott takes over the country later this year, he's going to abolish all climate change measures. Dickhead!