Real Climate Records

“EXTREME HEAT INLAND.”

Although the mean temperature for February was mostly above the average the month was not characterised by any lengthy spells of hot weather in the settled areas, owing to the rapid

movement of the weather systems.

In the Far North Interior, however, there were several intense heat waves, the most severe occurring during the first week, when at William Creek and Farina the Town maximum for the

seven days averaged 110 degrees.

On the 6th, Farina experienced a shade reading of 115 degrees, while on the following day, William Creek reported a similar temperature, while Tarcoola and Port Augusta registered 114 degrees.

The rapidly moving disturbances at times possessed considerable energy resulting in steep barometric gradient. In consequence, very hot, gusty and dusty northerly winds were associated

with their passage across this State, the 14th and 24th being particularly  unpleasant days.

Light and general rain, accompanied the cool change on the eighth and also light to moderate falls on the 25th, but apart from these downpours there was little or no rain recorded through-

out South Australia during the month.

Except for slight deficiencies on parts of the coast and extreme south-east, the mean temperature for February was above the average through out South Australia and the Northern

Territory. In the settled areas the surplus was mostly under 2 degrees, but north of Port Augusta to Alice Springs the departure from normal exceeded three degrees, with a maximum

of 5.6 degrees above at Alice Springs.

The day temperatures aggregated well above normal at most stations, particularly in the Far North and Lower Territory, where mean maximums ranged from 5 to 7 degrees above. The

mean of the maximum temperatures at Charlotte Waters, 105 degrees and Alice Springs 103 degrees, were the highest on record for February, in each case representing a positive de-parture from normal of 7.1 degrees.

At William Creek the mean maximum was 102.3 degrees (6.5 above), and Farina 101.5 (6 above). At Adelaide the mean of the day temperatures, 88 was 1.9 degrees above average, whereas the mean of the night readings 61.8 was 0.3 degrees below.

There were five very hot days, 100 degrees or over exceeded, as against an average of three, while 12 days reached or exceeded 90 degrees, two more than normal.