As the blistering heatwave rages on, Port Augusta experienced its hottest day on record on Thursday, January 24, reaching 49.5 degrees at 4:22pm.
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While several other South Australian towns set new record temperatures, Port Augusta was the hottest place in the state.
Thursday’s weather is Port Augusta’s hottest day since records began in 1961, beating the previous record set just last week when temperatures reached 48.9 degrees.
Port Augusta fell just shy of the nation’s hottest temperature recorded, which was set in Oodnadatta on January 2, 1960, reaching 50.7 degrees.
Kids rushed to the foreshore and the Ryan Mitchell Swim Centre to cool off, while most locals preferred to stay under their air conditioner.
Resident Brenton Whiskey said he couldn’t believe how hot it was.
“I feel like I’m in the desert. You can’t go anywhere and I’ve been sweating a lot,” he said.
However, for some residents, it was “just another day in Port Augusta”.
“It’s been this hot since Christmas,” Michael Jackson added. “There’s the odd cool day, but it’s been over 40 pretty much every day.”
State Emergency Service called for all Australians to follow these steps to remain cool during the extreme heatwave.
- The continuing hot weather increases the risk to your health. Learn the symptoms of heat stress so you can act quickly if you or someone you are with becomes ill.
- A chilled drink, a cool shower, a cool damp towel around your neck or a spray of cool water on your skin will make you more comfortable and help you sleep.
- Closing windows, blinds and curtains during the day will help your home to stay cool.
- Food safety is especially important during prolonged hot weather. Use cooler bags to transport food home from the shops. Serve food as soon as it is ready and chill leftovers promptly.
For immediate medical attention, call 000 (triple zero).