Australia heatwave: Canberra and Penrith smash temperature records that stood for 80 years

Map of daily average temperatures across Australia on 3 January 2020. It was the hottest ever day recorded in Greater Sydney Penrith was hottest place on Earth. The BOM recorded a maximum temperature of 48.9C at 3pm. The previous record of 47.3C was set in January 2018 Graphic: BOM / Prof. Ray Wills

4 January 2020 (Australian Associated Press) – Canberra and the outer western Sydney suburb of Penrith have broken temperature records that have stood for 80 years.

The mercury climbed to 48.9°C [120°F] in Penrith and 43.6°C in Canberra on Saturday afternoon, the hottest temperatures recorded in those areas. The Canberra mark later rose above 44°C [111°F].

Penrith set a new record for the hottest temperature in the Sydney basin, beating the previous mark of 47.8°C recorded in Richmond in 1939. The new mark also made it one of the hottest places in the world on Saturday afternoon.

Sydney West daily average temperatures for the two weeks around 4 January, 1939-2020. Data: Bureau of Meteorology ACORN-SAT. Graphic: Mat Lipson, Steefan Contractor, and James Goldie / isithotrightnow.com

Distribution of daily average temperatures around 4 January, 1939-2020. Data: Bureau of Meteorology ACORN-SAT. Graphic: Mat Lipson, Steefan Contractor, and James Goldie / isithotrightnow.com

The previous Canberra record was 42.8°C at the now-closed Acton observation site in 1939.

“We’ve seen many places close to the coast exceed 40°C over the southeast and lots of places up on the ranges as well,” Bureau of Meteorology acting NSW manager Jane Golding said.

“We’ve seen many sites in western Sydney above 45°C and places quite close to the city above 40°C.” [more]

Australian heatwave: Canberra and Penrith smash temperature records that stood for 80 years