Climate records have been broken already this month, thanks to abnormally warm conditions across Australia throughout the first half of April, according to new data.
The Bureau of Meteorology today released a ‘Special Climate Statement’, highlighting April 9 as the hottest April day on record for Australia as a whole, with a national average temperature of 34.97 °C. April records were also set in South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales, with the states all recording their highest April temperatures between April 9 and 11.
Climate Council Acting CEO and Head of Research Dr Martin Rice said residents across parts of inland New South Wales sweltered through 11 consecutive days with temperatures exceeding 30°C on each day.
“April isn’t even half way through, but already we are seeing climate records topple thanks to hotter temperatures and heatwave events across the nation, including a scorching 43.7°C recorded at Roebourne in Western Australia,” he said.
“Records have tumbled in South Australia, Victoria and the Northern Territory, with the Top End reaching a record of 38.09°C (area averaged) on April 1. These temperatures are expected during mid-summer, but are abnormal during autumn.”
“These records are part of a long-term warming trend, with seven of the ten hottest years on record in Australia all occurring since 2005.”
“The burning of fossil fuels, such as a coal and gas continues to drive Australia’s greenhouse gas pollution levels higher, all while climate change fuelled extreme weather events, including these record breaking heatwaves, become more intense and more frequent.”
- Australia’s hottest April day was April 9 reaching a national average of 34.97 °C.
- Sydney, Adelaide and many other locations had their hottest or equal-hottest April days on record. During this period, the highest April temperatures on record occurred for the States of South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales.
- The Northern Territory set a record on 1 April with 38.09 °C.
- South Australia set a record on the 9th with 38.33 °C.
- Victoria had its hottest area averaged April day on record on the 11th with 32.70 °C.
- New South Wales did not surpass its 1986 record, the 2018 event saw the State have three of its five hottest April days on record, and five of the top ten.
Dr Rice said that the latest batch of national records should serve as yet another warning signal to the Federal Government, with Australia’s greenhouse gas pollution levels rising consistently since March 2015.
“The window of opportunity to tackle climate change is closing rapidly. Australians have already witnessed or experienced the effects of intensifying climate change first hand, from severe heatwaves and supercharged storms, through to heavy rainfall, droughts and bushfires,” he said.
“The Federal Government must turn its focus to the ready and available solutions to tackle climate change, through clean, affordable and reliable renewable energy and battery storage, while continuing Australia’s transition away from ageing, pollution and inefficient energy.”
Please view the Bureau of Meteorology’s full report here ‘Special Climate Statement 65 – persistent summer-like heat sets many April records’.
For more information please contact Senior Communications Advisor Alexia Boland on 0438 972 260.