In the Kimberley region in the west of the country, which is popular with tourists, 41.5 degrees were measured at the weather station in Yampi Sound in the early afternoon (local time), the weather service “Weatherzone” reported. This is the highest value ever measured at this time of year. The previous Australian winter record from 2020 was 41.2 degrees. In several other places in the Western Australia region, the values were also over 40 degrees – and there is little hope of cooling in the next few days.
11 degrees above August average
The unusual heat has also affected other parts of the country, such as the neighboring Northern Territory, where a new record of 40 degrees could be confirmed at Bradhsaw station later today. Meteorologists have also predicted temperatures of 37 degrees, which are far too high for the time of year, for the famous outback town of Alice Springs, which could be reached towards the end of this week, according to ABC.
The hot air mass responsible for the records will be driven inland to the east coast this week, it was said. Winter records are then also expected to be broken in the states of New South Wales, including the metropolis of Sydney, and in Queensland. In the town of Roma, about 500 kilometers west of Brisbane, temperatures were already eleven degrees above the August average at the start of the week. Australia is particularly affected by climate change and often suffers from extreme weather.