Australian Severe Weather Forum

The attached 850hPa temperature chart gives a good idea of the extent of the heat during the 28th Jan. It is the GFS analysis at 06z. adding 17 C to the 850 temps gives a good idea of surface maxes. Locally, some places will get 1-2 C more than that which is what we saw with temps reching close to 48.





Adelaide has had its "hottest night on record" after its 2nd hottest day on record.

it is not real time, but from the official site....

edit:
Highest daily maximum temperatures for Australia - 27 January 2009
Prepared at 03:15 GMT on Wednesday 28 January 2009
Rank    Value
(°C)    Station Name    State    Station Number    Altitude
(m)    Latitude
(°)    Longitude
(°)    QF
1    46.6    MARREE COMPARISON    SA    17031    50    -29.65    138.06    00
2    45.6    MARREE AERO    SA    17126    50    -29.66    138.07    00
3    45.5    TARCOOLA AERO    SA    16098    123    -30.71    134.58    00
4    45.4    KYANCUTTA    SA    18044    57    -33.13    135.56    00
5    45.1    PORT AUGUSTA AERO    SA    18201    14    -32.51    137.71    00
6    45.0    WUDINNA AERO    SA    18083    86    -33.04    135.45    00
6    45.0    POONCARIE MAIL AGENCY    NSW    47029    53    -33.39    142.57    00
6    45.0    LEIGH CREEK AIRPORT    SA    17110    259    -30.60    138.42    00
9    44.8    CEDUNA AMO    SA    18012    15    -32.13    133.70    00
10    44.5    PORT PIRIE NYRSTAR COMPARISON    SA    21043    4    -33.17    138.01    00
Records for Australia in January
Rank    Value
(°C)    Date
   Station Name    State    Station Number    Altitude
(m)    Latitude
(°)    Longitude
(°)
1    50.7    02 January 1960    OODNADATTA AIRPORT    SA    17043    117    -27.56    135.45
2    50.3    03 January 1960    OODNADATTA AIRPORT    SA    17043    117    -27.56    135.45
3    49.8    03 January 1960    MUNDRABILLA STATION    WA    11008    20    -31.84    127.86
3    49.8    13 January 1979    FORREST AERO    WA    11004    156    -30.84    128.11
5    49.7    10 January 1939    MENINDEE POST OFFICE    NSW    47019    61    -32.39    142.42

also this might be interesting

edit: hope it is that, what you meant, Jimmy.

Latest Weather Observations for Wilsons Promontory

Issued at 1:05 pm EDT Thursday 29 January 2009
About weather observations | Map of weather stations | Latest weather observations for VIC
Station Details    ID: 085096    Name: WILSONS PROMONTORY LIGHTHOUSE    Lat: -39.13    Lon: 146.42    Height: 95.0 m
Data from the previous 72 hours. | See also: Recent months at Wilsons Promontory
Date/Time
EDT    Temp    App
Temp    Dew
Point    Rel
Hum    Delta-T    Wind    Press
QNH    Press
MSL    Rain
since 9 am
Dir    Speed    Gust    Speed    Gust
°C    °C    °C    %    °C       km/h    knots    hPa    hPa    mm
29/01:00pm    39.8    37.3    11.0    18    17.3    NNW    15    41    8    22    1009.8    -    0.0
29/12:30pm    39.5    36.5    10.8    18    17.2    WNW    17    46    9    25    1010.0    -    0.0
29/12:03pm    38.8    33.6    10.2    18    16.9    W    28    52    15    28    1009.8    -    0.0
29/12:00pm    38.8    34.3    10.2    18    16.9    W    24    43    13    23    1009.9    1009.7    0.0
29/11:30am    38.5    34.6    10.8    19    16.5    WNW    22    44    12    24    1009.9    -    0.0
29/11:00am    38.4    35.4    10.7    19    16.5    NW    17    37    9    20    1009.7    -    0.0
29/10:30am    38.0    35.1    11.1    20    16.1    NW    17    41    9    22    1009.6    -    0.0
29/10:00am    37.5    32.0    10.7    20    15.9    NW    30    50    16    27    1009.6    -    0.0
29/09:57am    37.7    32.7    10.9    20    15.9    NNW    28    50    15    27    1009.6    -    0.0
29/09:30am    37.2    32.5    10.5    20    15.8    NW    26    57    14    31    1009.7    -    0.0
29/09:00am    36.7    30.5    10.1    20    15.6    NW    33    61    18    33    1009.7    1009.5    0.0
29/08:30am    36.3    29.6    9.8    20    15.4    NNW    35    56    19    30    1009.6    -    0.0
29/08:00am    36.1    29.0    9.6    20    15.4    NNW    37    69    20    37    1009.6    -    0.0
29/07:30am    36.1    29.8    9.6    20    15.4    NNW    33    52    18    28    1009.4    -    0.0
29/07:00am    36.0    29.4    8.7    19    15.6    NNW    33    67    18    36    1009.3    -    0.0
29/06:30am    35.8    29.2    8.6    19    15.5    NNW    33    61    18    33    1009.1    -    0.0
29/06:00am    35.6    29.0    8.4    19    15.5    NNW    33    59    18    32    1009.1    1008.9    0.0
29/05:30am    35.3    28.6    9.7    21    14.8    NNW    35    57    19    31    1008.9    -    0.0
29/05:28am    35.1    28.0    9.5    21    14.8    NNW    37    57    20    31    1008.8    -    0.0
29/05:19am    34.9    28.7    10.0    22    14.4    NNW    33    48    18    26    1008.8    -    0.0
29/05:05am    29.9    25.7    13.6    36    9.8    NNW    28    46    15    25    1008.6    -    0.0
29/05:00am    22.4    19.5    16.0    67    3.9    N    26    37    14    20    1008.6    -    0.0
29/04:30am    20.8    17.5    17.0    79    2.3    NNE    30    32    16    17    1008.5    -    0.0
29/04:00am    20.4    17.6    17.4    83    1.8    NNE    28    32    15    17    1008.8    -    0.0
29/03:30am    20.4    17.6    17.4    83    1.8    NNE    28    32    15    17    1008.8    -    0.0
29/03:00am    21.1    17.2    16.9    77    2.6    NNE    33    37    18    20    1008.9    1008.7    0.0
29/02:30am    21.7    16.8    16.4    72    3.2    NNE    37    39    20    21    1009.1    -    0.0
29/02:00am    22.7    17.6    15.8    65    4.2    NNE    37    41    20    22    1009.4    -    0.0
29/01:30am    22.8    17.4    15.9    65    4.2    NNE    39    44    21    24    1009.8    -    0.0
29/01:00am    24.2    19.0    14.6    55    5.7    NNE    35    41    19    22    1010.2    -    0.0
29/12:30am    28.0    21.5    10.2    33    10.0    NNE    35    41    19    22    1010.3    -    0.0
29/12:00am    30.5    22.6    6.4    22    12.9    N    37    52    20    28    1010.6    1010.4    0.0
 
Date/Time
EDT    Temp    App
Temp    Dew
Point    Rel
Hum    Delta-T    Wind    Press
QNH    Press
MSL    Rain
since 9 am
Dir    Speed    Gust    Speed    Gust
°C    °C    °C    %    °C       km/h    knots    hPa    hPa    mm
28/11:30pm    28.5    21.6    8.7    29    10.9    NNE    35    48    19    26    1010.9    -    0.0
28/11:00pm    24.0    18.4    14.4    55    5.7    NNE    37    44    20    24    1011.1    -    0.0
28/10:30pm    25.8    19.8    13.3    46    7.3    NNE    37    46    20    25    1011.3    -    0.0
28/10:00pm    25.4    19.6    13.9    49    6.8    NNE    37    44    20    24    1011.3    -    0.0
28/09:30pm    25.9    20.2    13.1    45    7.5    NNE    35    43    19    23    1011.2    -    0.0
28/09:00pm    25.6    20.1    13.5    47    7.1    NNE    35    44    19    24    1011.2    1011.0    0.0
28/08:30pm    24.3    18.2    14.1    53    6.0    NNE    39    46    21    25    1011.1    -    0.0
28/08:00pm    24.9    18.5    14.4    52    6.3    NNE    41    46    22    25    1010.8    -    0.0
28/07:30pm    23.3    17.3    15.4    61    4.8    NNE    41    46    22    25    1010.7    -    0.0
28/07:00pm    22.1    17.4    15.9    68    3.7    NNE    35    43    19    23    1010.7    -    0.0
28/06:30pm    20.6    16.4    17.2    81    2.1    NNE    35    37    19    20    1010.7    -    0.0
28/06:00pm    20.0    15.9    17.4    85    1.6    NNE    35    39    19    21    1010.8    1010.6    0.0
28/05:30pm    20.2    16.7    17.4    84    1.7    NNE    32    35    17    19    1010.6    -    0.0
28/05:00pm    19.9    16.4    18.0    89    1.2    NNE    33    39    18    21    1010.4    -    0.0
28/04:30pm    19.0    15.8    18.5    97    0.3    NNE    33    37    18    20    1010.3    -    0.0
28/04:00pm    19.0    15.5    18.7    98    0.2    NNE    35    37    19    20    1010.5    -    0.0
28/03:30pm    18.9    15.2    18.4    97    0.3    NNE    35    37    19    20    1010.9    -    0.0
28/03:00pm    18.9    15.5    18.1    95    0.5    NNE    33    35    18    19    1011.1    1010.9    0.0
28/02:30pm    18.8    15.0    18.0    95    0.5    NNE    35    37    19    20    1011.1    -    0.0
28/02:00pm    18.9    15.4    17.9    94    0.6    NNE    33    37    18    20    1011.2    -    0.0
28/01:30pm    19.1    15.7    18.1    94    0.6    NNE    33    35    18    19    1011.3    -    0.0
28/01:00pm    19.0    15.6    17.7    92    0.8    NNE    32    33    17    18    1011.4    -    0.0
28/12:30pm    19.3    17.4    18.5    95    0.5    NNE    26    30    14    16    1011.7    -    0.0
28/12:00pm    19.1    17.9    18.4    96    0.4    NNE    22    24    12    13    1012.2    1012.0    0.0
28/11:30am    18.5    17.0    18.5    100    0.0    NNE    24    28    13    15    1012.1    -    0.0
28/11:00am    18.5    17.0    18.5    100    0.0    NNE    24    28    13    15    1012.3    -    0.0
28/10:30am    17.6    12.8    17.6    100    0.0    NNE    39    43    21    23    1011.9    -    0.0
28/10:00am    17.5    12.3    17.5    100    0.0    NNE    41    44    22    24    1011.8    -    0.0
28/09:30am    17.3    12.8    17.3    100    0.0    NNE    37    43    20    23    1012.0    -    0.0
28/09:00am    17.2    12.6    17.2    100    0.0    NNE    37    41    20    22    1012.1    1011.9    0.4
28/08:30am    17.3    13.2    17.3    100    0.0    NNE    35    37    19    20    1012.2    -    0.4
28/08:00am    17.2    -    17.4    -    17.2    NNE    33    37    18    20    1012.2    -    0.4
28/07:30am    17.2    13.0    17.2    100    0.0    NNE    35    37    19    20    1012.0    -    0.4
28/07:00am    16.7    12.9    16.7    100    0.0    NNE    32    35    17    19    1012.0    -    0.4
28/06:30am    16.7    -    -    -    -    NE    28    28    15    15    1012.1    -    0.4
28/06:00am    16.2    -    -    -    -    NNE    24    24    13    13    1011.9    1011.7    0.2
28/05:30am    16.3    -    -    -    -    NNE    24    28    13    15    1011.7    -    0.2
28/05:00am    16.3    -    -    -    -    NNE    20    26    11    14    1011.6    -    0.2
28/04:30am    16.6    -    -    -    -    NNE    17    20    9    11    1011.9    -    0.2
28/04:00am    16.7    -    -    -    -    N    19    24    10    13    1011.7    -    0.2
28/03:30am    16.6    -    -    -    -    NNE    28    30    15    16    1011.5    -    0.2
28/03:00am    16.5    -    -    -    -    NNE    28    32    15    17    1011.9    1011.7    0.2
28/02:30am    16.4    -    -    -    -    NNE    26    30    14    16    1012.2    -    0.2
28/02:00am    16.2    13.7    16.2    100    0.0    NNE    24    26    13    14    1012.5    -    0.0
28/01:30am    16.3    16.3    16.3    100    0.0    N    11    15    6    8    1013.3    -    0.0
28/01:00am    16.5    17.0    16.5    100    0.0    N    9    13    5    7    1013.6    -    0.0
28/12:30am    16.6    15.0    16.6    100    0.0    NNE    20    24    11    13    1013.4    -    0.0
28/12:00am    17.0    14.1    17.0    100    0.0    NNE    28    32    15    17    1013.2    1013.0    0.0
 
Date/Time
EDT    Temp    App
Temp    Dew
Point    Rel
Hum    Delta-T    Wind    Press
QNH    Press
MSL    Rain
since 9 am
Dir    Speed    Gust    Speed    Gust
°C    °C    °C    %    °C       km/h    knots    hPa    hPa    mm
27/11:30pm    17.0    14.5    17.0    100    0.0    NNE    26    28    14    15    1013.3    -    0.0
27/11:00pm    16.9    13.9    16.9    100    0.0    NNE    28    30    15    16    1013.4    -    0.0
27/10:30pm    17.1    13.8    17.1    100    0.0    NNE    30    32    16    17    1013.4    -    0.0
27/10:00pm    17.2    14.4    17.2    100    0.0    NNE    28    30    15    16    1013.8    -    0.0
27/09:30pm    17.4    15.0    17.4    100    0.0    NNE    26    28    14    15    1014.1    -    0.0
27/09:00pm    17.4    15.0    17.4    100    0.0    NNE    26    28    14    15    1014.1    1013.9    0.0
27/08:30pm    17.6    14.5    17.6    100    0.0    NNE    30    32    16    17    1014.0    -    0.0
27/08:00pm    17.9    15.0    17.9    100    0.0    NNE    30    33    16    18    1014.0    -    0.0
27/07:30pm    18.1    14.9    18.1    100    0.0    NNE    32    35    17    19    1013.8    -    0.0
27/07:00pm    18.3    15.4    18.0    98    0.2    NNE    30    33    16    18    1013.9    -    0.0
27/06:30pm    18.7    15.8    17.9    95    0.5    NNE    30    32    16    17    1014.1    -    0.0
27/06:00pm    18.6    16.4    17.8    95    0.5    NE    26    28    14    15    1014.4    1014.2    0.0

temps raise and fall......

I don't know how a lot people would have slept last night in Adelaide as they sweltered through its hottest night on record, with the temperature only dipping to 33.9 degrees.

The temp topped on Wednesday of 45.7c, the weather bureau said the overnight minimum came just after midnight (CDT).

The previous record was the 33.5c recorded on January 1, 1982.

By 5am the mercury had climbed back to 37c, on the way to a forecast top for Thursday of 44.

I haven't found the country towns yet, but it is reported that some were above 50c. The closet to 50 was at this stage was  Murray Bridge with the states high on Wednesday, reaching an unbearable 48 degrees. That is agonizing just thinking about it. But I just have not come accross the official records, it would be of interest so as to keep a set for yourself.
 

Hi,

I would like to know the sources and verification of these 50C temperatures as that is rather extreme! They would also be record territory since previous 50+ degree C records have been discounted ie Cloncurry 53.1C and Bourke 52.8C.

Regards,

Jimmy Deguara

That is why I stated, "It has been reported"
I was  quoting from nine NSM were the report stated

"But as the city sweltered, conditions further north were even worse with some outback centres reporting temperatures above 50c, prompting health authorities to urge all South Australians to take extreme care."

As I said I cant find the outback centres they are talking about, and if anyone can I would like to see the data to keep as a personal record.
It was reported that Murray Bridge had 48c but I couldnt find that data to source that out either. ( it only shows around 46C)

So if you can help I would be happy. If not it has to go down as "hear say", and unconfirmed .


Below is the full story as it appeared on ninemsn 28/01/09


Adelaide's temperature topped 45 degrees on Wednesday with the city heading for its hottest week in 100 years.

The furnace-like conditions were forecast to continue until at least Sunday, likely giving the city six days in a row above 40 celsius for the first time since 1908, after Tuesday's top of 43.2c.

Wednesday's high was also closing in on the city's all-time record of 46.1c set on January 12, 1939.

Last March Adelaide had a record long heatwave with 15 consecutive days above 35c.

But as the city sweltered, conditions further north were even worse with some outback centres reporting temperatures above 50c, prompting health authorities to urge all South Australians to take extreme care.

SA's chief medical officer Paddy Phillips said the elderly, babies and young children were most at risk.

"South Australia is now braced for the first heatwave of the year, and we're advising people to take precautions during the extreme heat to remain cool and hydrated," Professor Phillips said.

Firefighters were on high alert across SA while power authorities said the state's electricity network was coping reasonably well with the high demand.

ETSA Utilities reported 15 outages, the worst involving about 7,500 homes in the Adelaide Hills and another cutting power to about 2,000 customers in the city's north-western suburbs.

The Country Fire Service reported two bushfires, one on Kangaroo Island and one near Coonalpyn, south-east of Adelaide.

Police said they had 40 operation Nomad patrols on duty, checking on people considered at risk of starting fires.

"Offenders should expect zero tolerance from us if they choose to deliberately or negligently start bushfires," said Chief Superintendent Silvio Amoroso.

"Out of the 199 fires in the past fortnight, 18 have been deliberately lit, 13 due to negligent acts".

The heat also disrupted train services, buckling the tracks in several areas. While at Gawler, north of the city, Thoroughbred Racing SA cancelled an eight-race meeting, citing the welfare of both the horses and riders.

Acting chief executive Sean Clarkson said officials would continue to monitor conditions ahead of Saturday's planned meetings at Morphettville in Adelaide and at Ceduna on the west coast.

The weather bureau said the temperature overnight would only fall to 32c with the top on Thursday likely to be 44c.

The first day under 40c was forecast to be Monday with a top of 39c tipped.


Cheers
Col

More than likely it was quoting reports from cattle stations & amatuer observers which I have also heard saying obs over 50C. These are obviously not official and some are probably just read from a thermometer under the verandah lol....

BOM's official highest yesterday was Pallamana's 47.8C.

'Only' reached 43.4C here today in Adelaide, so a bit of relief lol....

the heatwave so far...
Mon 26th    36.6
Tues 27th   43.2
Wed 28th    45.7
Thurs 29th  43.4

forecast to come:
Fri 30th      42
Sat 31st     40
Sun 1st      40
Mon 2nd     39
Tues 3rd     38
Wed 4th     38
Thurs 5th    40
maybe even more???

Certainly going to rank up there and if not beat 1939 and 1908, and at least will be one to tell the grandkiddies about down the track.... and I thought March 2008 was bad.......

I should add to that were quite a few storms last night in SA's Mid North and Yorke Peninsula... which managed to just make it down to Adelaide's northern suburbs.... havent had time to put many online yet or full res versions, but here's a couple of samples...
http://www.weatherchase.net/uploads/2009/280109/IMG_3814_copy.jpg
http://www.weatherchase.net/uploads/2009/280109/IMG_3827_copy.jpg
http://www.weatherchase.net/uploads/2009/280109/IMG_3838_copy.jpg

Cheers
Tim.

So far the only 50+c that I have found for South Australia was at Oodnatta on the 2nd of January 1960


        Jan     Feb     Mar     Apr     May     Jun     Jul     Aug     Sep     Oct     Nov     Dec     Ann
High Max (°C)
   50.7    46.8    44.9    42.1    35.0    32.8    32.2    36.5    40.5    45.4    47.3    48.3    50.7
Low Max (°C)
   15.7    16.8    17.3    14.2    11.1    10.7    9.5    9.4    12.0    15.0    13.3    20.5    9.4
High Min (°C)
   34.2    33.4    31.1    28.2    20.8    19.5    18.9    22.3    24.9    29.3    32.2    32.7    34.2
Low Min (°C)
   11.7    12.8    9.5    3.8    0.9    -2.6    -2.2    -0.2    2.2    3.4    9.6    11.3    -2.6
High Rain (mm)
   104.0    200.0    55.4    44.0    56.6    40.0    45.5    41.4    29.2    36.0    46.0    47.0    200.0


  the source of this information is found at  http://www.weatherzone.com.au/climate/station.jsp?lt=site&lc=17043, (if it is correct)


So far, the claims of 50+c for the 28/01/09 have not been confirmed, that is if they did occur.
Still hot as hell at 40+c, not to take anything away from those persevering the heat anywhere.

Looking forward to seeing a storm or two. The cloud front has just started moving over Victoria today.

A few places seemed to suddenly get hotter after 1:30am before then going back down. Strange.

However I notice some places on the Eyre Peninsula have had a cool change go through, with a small band of rainfall just east of Adelaide at the moment. Either it is very small in effect and the dominant northerlies will kick in again tomorrow or they might get some relief.

Port Lincoln Airport:

5:15pm 42.6
5:20pm 35.0
5:30pm 32.1

Though Adelaide still at 35.8. Dropped 5 degrees between 7:30 and 8:30 but still going to be a hot one from the look of it.

I have not found any evidence of maximum temperatures reaching 50C during this event. The highest maximum temperature that I found was at Pallamana Airport (South Australia) as stated in my previous post.

On 29/1/2009, again South Australia had some rather hot locations such as:-

Pallamana Airport - Top of 45.3C at 3.21 pm. Amazing, it was 40.4C at 9 am, then peaked at 45.3C at 3.21C and at 8 pm, it was still 40.8C here. That is more than 11 hours where the daytime temperature was over 40C.

Kyancutta and Murray Bridge - 45C
Edingburg and Edithburg - 44C
Keith West, Maree, Oodnadatta, Turretfield, Lameroo, Renmark and Snowtown - 43C
Adelaide - 42C

These are the 3pm readings.

Victoria

Again much of the state sweltered with Geelong scoring 45C. Other 3 pm temperature readings include:-

Horsham and Mortlake -44C
East Sale, Nhill, Ouyen, Melbourne and Warracknabeal - 43C
Echuca, Hopetoun, Kerang and Mildura - 42.

It reached 41.5C at Albury as well which is a late afternoon reading. Like 28/1/2009, the peak temperature of over 40C occurred later than 3 pm. That is 2 days in a row of 40C temperatures here.

A large number of places reached at least the low 40S.

In addition, I am also aware of 2 bushfires burning in this state but with more 40C temperatures and low humidity, it does not bode too well for 30/1/2009.

Harley Pearman

Tasmania has recorded its highest temperature ever of 41.5 at Flinders Island - report from ABC below. It remained over 40 for about 4 hours.

Meanwhile - on the other side of the HIGH we've had coastal showers since Sunday and maxes in the high 20s. Close to 70mm now since Sunday.

Hi,

Up until now, the discussion has centred on the current conditions and forecasts of extreme heat. I would like to add that this massive region of extensive and prolonged heating has to give to some monsoonal activity in my opinion as the atmosphere slowly begins to cool down. We'll see what February holds.

Regards,

Jimmy Deguara

Not the least surprised, but Penny Wong has come out drawing the long bow.

http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news/local/news/general/heatwave-shows-climate-scientists-are-right-wong-says/1419596.aspx

Senator Wong said this was the sort of weather scientists had been warning about.

"Obviously you have to look on a much longer time frame than week to week, but what we do know is that 11 of the hottest years in history have been in the last 12 (years)," Ms Wong said.

"And we also know, particularly in the southern part of Australia, that we've seen less rainfall.

"All of this is consistent with climate change and all of this is consistent with what scientists told us would happen."

I agree Jimmy.  Normally these sort of conditions over northern Australia generate a heat low and the models are forecasting this scenario (hence the forecast of showers and storms).  However, consistent with nature's balancing act, I think we'll see quite a substantial event when this pattern finally breaks down - whether that be in the form of a strong southerly movement of monsoonal activity or a strong storm outbreak - time will tell.  I think the end to the heatwave (which was part of the conditions leading up to the Ash Wednesday bushfires of 1983) was quite spectacular.  I recall some quite substantial flooding in southern Victoria - based on my childhood memories alone - I don't have any weather information to support this - does any one else care to comment (who may be slightly older than I) based on either data or memories?

Macca

I have just been reading The Border Mail (Albury)...

Wangaratta-based weather forecaster John Moore predicts some storm activity next month.
  "At the moment we are experiencing the hottest period since 1908 and in February 1908 Wangaratta had 90mm of rain for that month, so it is possible to have some heavy falls in February," he said.
  "The fact is the drought conditions at the moment and the lack of moisture in the air to cool things down means we will experience this heat for the next two weeks".

Surely something will have to give. This is our third day of reaching 40+ degrees (right now it's 40.6). Tomorrow is set to get to 44, and Sunday 42.