Heat-wave causes havoc down under. by Jo Farrow
With temperatures set to take a tumble here in the UK over the next few days, long hot summer days seem like a million miles away at the moment. In fact, the hot weather can be found about 10,000 miles away in south-eastern parts of Australia.
At present, parts of New South Wales and Victoria are experiencing extreme heat-wave conditions with temperatures frequently reaching over 40C. Today (Sunday), was the fourth consecutive day where temperatures peaked above the 40C mark in Adelaide, which hasn’t happened since 1940, 66 years ago.
The high temperatures have come at a price though. The hot weather has played havoc with electricity supplies, leaving more than 1000 homes without power and hospitals have been inundated with many people suffering from heat-stroke and heat-stress. Residents are also fearful that the heat will trigger bushfires.
In Australia heat-waves are classified by either three or more consecutive days with the temperature reaching above 40C or five or more consecutive days with the temperature reaching above 35C. The last heat-wave was recorded back in February 2004, where temperatures reached and exceeded 35C for eight consecutive days.
There is some relief in sight, temperatures look set to decrease to around 25C over the next few days.
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