THE mercury is rising for what could be a record-breaking weekend in Gunnedah.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Following the blistering heat registered on January 3 last summer – officially 45.9 degrees and unofficially anywhere up to about 49 – the Bureau of Meteorology is warning we could be looking at another scorching summer.
The Bureau of Meteorology’s Moree officer-in-charge Michael Glasson said temperatures are predicted to be in the high 30s on Saturday through to Monday.
Monday is expected to be the hottest day, with a top of 37 degrees.
Mr Glasson said official records showed Gunnedah’s record October temperature was 39.1 in 1988. Records taken at the Gunnedah pool station show a high of 40 degrees recorded in October 1907.
“You might go close to breaking that record,” Mr Glasson said.
The weather is expected to cool down on Tuesday.
Mr Glasson said it was common to get the “odd hot spell” in the second half of spring.
“We are expecting temperatures that are 10 degrees above average,” he said.
“It’s pretty extreme, but not unheard of.”
He said winds from the north-west were bringing hot air-streams from central Australia.
While showers are possible today, tomorrow and Saturday, the rainfall is not expected to amount to much, with a dry summer ahead.
“There is a 50 per cent chance of El Nino occuring in the coming months,” Mr Glasson said.
“The bureau has put it out that we could expect some severe weather.”
He said under the current conditions, heatwaves were more likely and bushfires were not only more likely, but potentially more severe because of the lack of rain.
Rural Fire Service Liverpool Range zone manager Andrew Luke said no total fire ban had been declared for the weekend, but it still could happen.
“Certainly with the heat conditions in South Australia at the moment, we may be heading that way,” Mr Luke said.
South Australia is having temperatures of about 40 degrees this week.
Mr Luke said firefighters were facing big challenges this summer with high temperatures predicted and drought conditions.
“There is a big shortage of water everywhere,” he said. “And when that is your prime way of extinguishing fires, it makes it very difficult.”
The Rural Fire Service held its first Get Ready Weekend last weekend, urging people to be prepared for bushfire season.
Mr Luke said the community involvement for the event had been disappointing, but it was hoped the event would gain momentum over the next few years.
Gunnedah’s main pool will not open until November 1.
“Despite the warmer ambient air temperature during the day, the water temperature still remains 20 degrees and below which is generally too cool for recreational use,” a council spokeswoman said.
“Unlike many other swimming pool complexes in regional NSW, Gunnedah is very fortunate to have an indoor pool complex and this ensures the community has access to pool facilities year round”.
“At this stage, the outdoor pools are still being prepared for the summer season with repairs being carried out on the pools and outdoor amenities, cleaning, kiosk preparation, water testing and water filtration to ensure on opening day, the facilities will exceed the needs of the community and provide a high quality, safe and enjoyable space for all”.