It is another absolute scorcher! The soaring temperatures in many parts of the country have left grey nomads sweltering in their vans and under their awnings … and desperately seeking ways to keep their cool.
And it’s not over yet. The Bureau of Meteorology reports that at least six of the first seven days of 2013 are among the top 20 hottest days in the past century. When today’s data is analysed it will make it six days in a row when the national average has been above 39 degrees. Tomorrow is expected to make it seven. Prior to this series, the longest run of 39 degrees or more was four days, in 1973.
“This event is ongoing with significant records likely to be set,” the weather bureau said. “A particular feature of this heatwave event has been the exceptional spatial extent of high temperatures.”
The Sydney Morning Herald reports that the final four months of 2012 were the hottest on record for Australia, and January is already delivering more of the same. The newspaper says the national averages maximum temperature was 39.2 on January 2, 39.6 on January 3, 39.3 on January 4, 39.3 on January 5 and 39.6 on January 6.
The weather bureau’s manager for climate monitoring, Karl Braganza reportedly described the event as a “dome of heat” over the continent.
Nationwide, the hottest single temperature recorded during the current heatwave has been the 48.6 degrees reached at Red Rocks Point in WA on January 3. That’s about 2 degrees below the 50.7 degrees all-time record set on January 2, 1960.
NSW Ambulance Service Acting Chief Superintendent Ian Johns has some tips for staying safe during extreme heat. Among his tips are:
# Drink water in small amounts regularly – don’t wait until you’re sick and drink large amounts.
# Stay out of the sun, wear sunscreen, take medications properly.
# Stay out of the heat – don’t do any strenuous work
# Use all the cooling devices you have.
How are you keeping cool as the mercury climbs? Comment below
