Friday, 30 January 2009

MEDIA RELEASE - TASMANIA / ANTARCTICA REGIONAL OFFICE

Tasmania breaks all-time high temperature record again

The hot conditions experienced over much of Tasmania yesterday continued today, with many maximum temperature records set.

Most remarkably Scamander, in the state’s northeast, recorded 42.2 degrees Celsius by 3pm, eclipsing yesterday’s all-time Tasmanian record of 41.5 degrees at Flinders Island airport.

Other record-breaking hot spots included Ross 41.6, Fingal 41.3, St Helens 41.1, Cressy 40.7, Launceston airport 40.4, Launceston 38.8, Scottsdale 37.7, and Smithton 36.2.

As of yesterday, Tasmania’s record books included 17 sites where the maximum temperatures was 40 degrees or more. As of this afternoon, there were 24.

Last night was also warm across the island state, with many places recording their warmest night ever. Melton Mowbray’s 24.0 degrees was Tasmania’s fourth warmest January night on record.

Tomorrow is expected to be hot again in the Central North but milder near the west, south and east coasts where the winds should be onshore.

Further information:
Melanie Webb, Climate Services Centre meteorologist
tel: (03) 6221 2043 (before 6pm), (03) 6221 2000 (after 6pm), fax: (03) 6221 2045