2007 Hottest Year For Adelaide, Australia In 120 Years Of Record-Keeping -

[hatrack]

ADELAIDE has sweltered through its hottest year since records began 120 years ago, in a sign that meteorologists say shows climate change is already here.

The Bureau of Meteorology yesterday released its annual climate statement for 2007, showing South Australia also had its hottest year on record and Australia had its sixth-warmest year. Adelaide's annual mean temperature was 0.3C above its previous maximum of 18.1C, set in 1914, and the hottest since records were first kept, in 1887.

The extreme heat will return today, with total fire bans in some districts. A top of 39C is forecast for Adelaide, ahead of 38C tomorrow.

Weather extremes of all kinds were felt across Australia in 2007 – including flooding in the eastern states. Climate Institute chief executive John Connor said the reality of the weather was stacking up with all projections. "It also shows that global weather is not just about warmer weather, it's about wilder weather," he said. "The projections are for intense storms, flooding, droughts and bushfires and we had all of those in 2007."

EDIT

http://www.news.com.au/common/imagedata/0,,5826890,00.jpg
Picture of 21 December dust storm near Wilcannia, Australia.

http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,23004995-2682,00.html