Heatwave Hits South Australia: Records Broken as Temperatures Soar
A burst of hot weather has swept across South Australia, with more than a dozen locations recording their hottest September day on record. Temperatures soared 10 to 15 degrees Celsius above average, driven by hot, dry, and gusty northerly winds.
More than a dozen locations in South Australia have recorded their hottest September day on record as temperatures soared 10 to 15 degrees Celsius above average.
A burst of hot weather swept across the state, driven by hot, dry, and gusty northerly winds. Bureau of Meteorology senior meteorologist Dean Narramore said this unusual weather pattern caused the significant temperature spike.
"This time of year we normally see temperatures in the high teens to the low 20s, and for many areas we saw temperatures get into the mid to high 30s," he said.
"It felt more like January than September."
Narramore reported that over a dozen records were broken across South Australia, particularly in and around the Adelaide area. Some of the record-breaking temperatures included:
- Port Pirie: 35.9C
- Kadina: 34.4C
- Clare: 31.5C
- Minlaton: 35.2C
- Edithburgh: 34.4C
- Parawa: 27.7C
- Murray Bridge: 35.8C
- Mount Lofty: 27.9C
- Roseworthy: 35.9C
- Edinburgh: 35.2C
- Parafield: 35.6C
- Noarlunga: 33.2C
- Hindmarsh Island: 34.4C
- Cape Willoughby: 28.1C
Adelaide, which has a data record spanning over 100 years, experienced its second hottest September day on record, reaching 34.4C at 1:36 pm. The city's hottest September day ever recorded was 35.1C in 1961.
Port Augusta was the hottest place in the state, reaching 37.9C at 1:42 pm, although this did not break the September record.
Narramore predicted a change in weather across most of the state, with temperatures expected to drop to the low 20s and cooler conditions towards the end of the week. He also forecasted widespread cloud, showers, and possible thunderstorms in southern parts of South Australia on Thursday and Friday.
"We are also expecting widespread cloud, shower and possible thunderstorm activity as well on Thursday and Friday through southern parts of South Australia," he said.
As the heat hit, residents sought relief at the beach. Chloe Moore visited Glenelg to cool off.
"We are down here at the beach making sandcastles and stuff to try to keep cool," she said.
Soula George, also at Glenelg, enjoyed a vanilla ice cream on Jetty Road.
"We are very fortunate here in Australia, because we are actually equipped for it," she said.
"Our shops are air-conditioned, your homes are air-conditioned, everywhere you go it's air-conditioned, so we are very fortunate."