Oh look the heat is gesticulating at you…mind giving the same gesture back? Climate conditions are getting serious as time is passing by. It is expected that even this year we might face some shocking heatwaves that might result in record-breaking, it will not all be bad. It might bring some ease to your life as well, you can have your breakfast made right at your bonnet, no stove required. Yes, you guessed it right; you can fry an egg with that temperature. Thus, it is going to be worse.
Since most of Australia’s land is dry but has slightly more rain than an arid region, Australia undergoes different climatic conditions. With these changes in climatic conditions, Australia is now a home for the hottest places in the world, stationed at 14th.
Let us have a look at some of the hottest places in Australia that holds a record of heatwaves:
Ø Marble Bar
You all must be aware of this town as it holds great significance in the history of Western Australia. It was known to be an old mining town, in the days of the gold rush. Now, if you have not visited this place then you might be imagining it as barren land. Nevertheless, it is the opposite of that thought. It has some attractive neatness, with wide streets, and green belts. It is situated in Western Australia.
It may be an interesting place to visit but it surely has a record of highest average temperature, that too, in December, 41.5 Degree Celsius. It is safe to say that is a sweat pack for people currently residing there. Having a sneak-peek at the history of Marble Bar, it has said to have recorded the highest temperature for 161 days, consecutively. This record has made a home for itself in the Guinness Book of Records.
Ø Penrith
A city that has some awe-inspiring attractions and cultural institutions, a home of creativity. You must have heard or visited the galleries, museums, and the famous Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre. It is located at foot of the Blue Mountains and an hour’s drive from Sydney.
With all the beauty of creativity, this city holds, it is certainly disturbed by the hot spell weather. It is situated in New South Wales, we all know what that can be a residence for. With the lack of green belts and the density of houses, the heat waves do not find a way to ventilate, rather they make this urban land their home. You must be aware of how Penrith set a record of high temperature, blazing to 49 Degree Celsius, last year. Nevertheless, Penrith will not keep you sizzling at all times, Nepean River is close and that will cool off the heat in some time.
Ø Darwin
To all those nature lovers, ever seen a beautiful sunset that has had a meaningful impact on your life. Darwin has some jaw-dropping landscapes and sunsets with the promise of tomorrow. With all the warmth and incredible views, Darwin can be a sweatbox. It is located in the Northern Territory of Australia.
As the location of Darwin explains the weather, being wet and dry, humidity is certainly at a high degree. The temperature rose to 38.9 Degree Celsius. This does not stop there the surface temperature is even higher than this, making it an extreme condition to live in. There have been reports that it might not be a place to reside for any of the living creatures.
Ø Perth
Have you ever wondered how a place is known to be the most isolated, encircled by the most incredible scenery, and the one that has the Indian Ocean on one side and Swan River on the other can be a place that experiences scorching heat to the extent where the residents need to be warned about? Well, Perth is one of those cities. It is situated in Western Australia.
This year Perth has experienced some of the hottest days. It usually is sunny and the scorching heat is experienced in February. However, the heat waves came early and the temperature rose to 42 Degree Celsius. It is expected to be warmer on holidays, Christmas, and Boxing Day. The sea breeze, also known as the “Fremantle Doctor” helps in relieving some of the heat. However, these waves have brought destruction and are further a warning for fire weather.
Ø Oodnadatta
Are you looking for a hot spot to tick off from your bucket list? Oodnadatta is situated in the center of the desert. It is located in South Australia. Its history is known by many as it was famous for railways and camels. There is no surprise that this place has broken records for holding the highest temperature.
Beware! The weather is about to touch the peak of the temperature. It is likely to rise to 47 Degree Celsius. To all those tourists who love summer, do not forget to pack cool banks, as it will be difficult to breathe the heat in. It has a history of recording some of the highest degrees, the place has experienced. We are about to enter the month of January and Oodnadatta experiences the highest temperature in this month, specifically. Thus, watch out for those waves.
Dramatic Impacts of HeatWaves
“Although summer brings in so much enjoyment, it can be a call to some natural disasters, including bushfires and endangering wildlife.”
As climate changes are occurring rapidly, they have been a call for destruction. So many bushfires have lit up the country, placing it in the worse possible state. We are all aware of the devastation that was caused due to fire weather in late 2019. It was a destructive season and the fire was all over the place before the rain could bring aid to the damage done. Especially, in the region of New South Wales, the fire spread fast, prompting an emergency state. Australia has experienced bushfires for a long time but the worse made its entrance and never left. The main cause of the bushfires is due to global warming and increased levels of Carbon Dioxide that is heating the earth. Australia is not excused in this; rather it has faced some disturbing scenarios due to the same cause.
Let us have a look at some of the damages that have been observed due to bushfires:
As stated earlier how the fire has brought so much destruction to the land, wildlife has been equally disturbed. As we are all aware how Australia island for so many known and unknown animals, about 200. The home is now under attack. So many animals including
- koala bears have been said to have lost their lives. About 30% of their species have vanished.
- Invertebrates including snails were unable to survive, as they cannot simply outrun the spread of fire.
- Reptiles, fire is catching them as they run for their lives.
Moreover, loss of vegetation has put the lives of other animals in danger including
- Eucalyptus, are damaged instantly by fire but can regrow after the spread of smoke has cooled down.
- So many trees are required to finish their cycle for animals to survive but are burnt to ashes due to fire before they can grow.
People residing in New South Wales have undergone so much pressure. Many people have lost their lives. During the time of the fire, the place had to be evacuated and thus many had to take shelter on the beach. This has hurt the physical as well as mental well-being of people. Let us have a look at some of the impacts:
- Intense smoke can cause air pollution, leading to health emergencies.
- Mental traumas due to loss of livestock, pets, homes, and others.
- With all lost, it is difficult to get financial gains and start a new life
By reading all the devastating details can make you think that how are we going to survive when the fire hits our region? Well, all is not lost yet. Scientists are back on researching the ensures that needs to be taken for us to survive and help other species survive.
So many species, after the fire, were found to be alive including:
- Kangaroos
- Black Cockatoo
- Dunnarts
You must be wondering that besides this how is the fire is being stopped? With our heavy reliance on firefighters, we can get help before the fire gets too much. Moreover, strategies are being designed to further see how can we survive when the fire is lit and firefighters have not reached yet. With that, warnings and evacuation alerts are already in action to help protect people and other living creatures.
Summer can bring with it some extreme conditions as mentioned above but let us have look at the things that you should do when the weather is too hot:
