Heat records topple as South Australia swelters

It's already been a day of record-breaking heat in South Australia, but authorities are warning of dangerous bushfire conditions.

Beach goers cool off at West Beach in Adelaide.

Adelaide is forecast to hit 45C but the BoM says the city's 80-year-old record high is within reach. Source: AAP

Heat records have tumbled in several South Australian towns, as sweltering temperatures continue to rise across the state.

The Bureau of Meteorology said the first record to fall was at Minlaton, on the Yorke Peninsula, where the mercury reached 45.7C just after 11am on Thursday.

The regional centre of Port Lincoln beat its previous record when it reached 47C, while Snowtown made history at 47.3C and Parafield at 46.6C.

Beach goers at Glenelg Beach try to keep cool as the temperature is forecast to hit a top of 45C in Adelaide.
Beach goers at Glenelg Beach try to keep cool as the temperature is forecast to hit a top of 45C in Adelaide. Source: AAP


Records were also broken when temperatures rose to 45.6C at Stenhouse Bay and 46.9C at Roseworthy. Minnipa recorded 47.3C and Hindmarsh Island 45.2C.

Closer to the city, Adelaide Airport beat its 2013 record of 44.1C with a high of 44.3C, while Noarlunga hit a historic 44.9C.

Adelaide reached its 45C forecast high by 1.30pm, and the Bureau says the city's 80-year-old record of 46.1C is within reach.



CFS state duty commander Yvette Dowling warned the soaring temperatures will lead to unmanageable bushfire conditions.

"If a fire does start with these forecast weather conditions, we're not going to be able to control that fire," she said.

She urged the public to avoid risky behaviour in order to minimise the bushfire threat.

"The communities are at risk, our firefighters are at risk, all emergency services are at risk."


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Published 24 January 2019 2:12pm
Updated 24 January 2019 8:11pm


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