MOST people in the Namoi Valley would have felt like Cathy Riley’s candles yesterday, as we sweated through the hottest day of the year.
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Although there were some anecdotes of even higher temperatures in patches, the Bureau of Meteorology official figure was 42.9 degrees.
Mrs Riley, who lives on a property on the eastern edge of Gunnedah, said she didn’t know exactly what the temperature reached there, but it’s been hot enough that “I keep asking my husband if we can move to Tasmania”.
“I even went as far as googling properties for sale,” she laughed.
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Mrs Riley said the property had been in the family since 1885, and she did remember other very hot times.
“Candles melted inside when we were kids,” she said.
“But the combination of heat and drought is quite depressing, especially for this long.
“Our lagoon dried up again yesterday, so sadly back to watering the cattle as well as hand feeding.
“I hope and pray rain comes soon, as everyone is so over this drought … I’ve never seen it as dry.”
There are six regions across the state under total fire bans today, including the north-western area encompassing Moree Plains, Narrabri, Walgett and Warrumbungle.
According to Weatherzone, Gunnedah is headed for a top of 43 degrees today, 42 tomorrow and 43 Saturday.
That will be followed by a run of days in the high 30s.