The average maximum daytime temperature in Australia on Wednesday was 41.9 degrees Celsius.
A seven-day state of emergency has been declared in the Australian state of New South Wales as the record for the hottest ever day in Australia’s history was broken for the second time in successive days.
New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced a state of emergency in the country’s most populous state on Thursday, when temperatures hit highs of 38 degrees in the state capital, Sydney, and exceeded 40 degrees in other areas.
The state of emergency will remain in effect for seven days as temperatures are expected to continue to soar and bushfires, which firefighters in the region have been battling for months, continue to rage out of control.
At 5.30pm there are 106 fires burning, 53 are not yet contained, 2 are at Emergency Warning. It has been a very challenging day for the 2,500 firefighters currently in the field. Crews are continuing to work hard to protect homes on some firegrounds. #nswrfs #nswfires pic.twitter.com/MVqWr18qQV
— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) December 19, 2019
EMERGENCY WARNING Gospers Mountain (Lithgow and Hawkesbury LGA) A southerly change has impacted the Gospers Mountain fireground & is pushing the fire north.
Fire crossing the Bells Line of Road at Bilpin. If in the area monitor conditions. Follow advice from firefighters. #nswrfs pic.twitter.com/qHcZ93FKyt— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) December 19, 2019
Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology announced that the record for the hottest day in the country’s history had been broken for the second day in succession on Wednesday.
The national average maximum daytime temperature on the day was a sweltering 41.9 degrees Celsius, a full degree hotter than the day before, which had also broken the previous record.
Based on preliminary analysis, yesterday, Australia recorded its hottest day on record. The nationally-averaged maximum daytime temp was 41.9 °C exceeding the record set on Tuesday, 40.9 ºC. You can view the top ten highest daily maximum temps here: https://t.co/Cdqm9vD1cI pic.twitter.com/DRDK9LAvrg
— Bureau of Meteorology, Australia (@BOM_au) December 19, 2019
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has come in for criticism for going on holiday to Hawaii but was defended by acting Prime Minister Michael McCormack at a press conference earlier this week.
“He’s worked very, very hard, he’s entitled to a holiday,” said McCormack.
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