Thursday 8 March, 2007

MEDIA RELEASE - WESTERN AUSTRALIAN REGIONAL OFFICE

Record hot temperatures near the WA west coast in early March

Extremely hot temperatures were recorded near the west coast of WA and adjacent parts during the period 5 to 7 March 2007 due to a spell of persistent northeasterly winds. Several locations recorded their highest March temperature and some experienced their highest temperature on record, whilst Carnarvon equalled the WA and Australian March record.

Carnarvon Airport recorded a maximum temperature of 47.8°C on 6 March 2007. This temperature exceeded the previous highest temperature recorded at Carnarvon of 47.7°C on 23 January 1953 and also equalled the previous highest March maximum temperature in WA and Australia of 47.8°C at Roebourne on 4 March 1998. Records commenced at Carnarvon in 1907.

Kalbarri recorded maximum temperatures of 45.9°C (5th), 47.2°C (6th), and 46.4°C (7th), exceeding the previous highest March maximum temperature at Kalbarri of 43.1°C on 1 March 1980 on three consecutive days. The 47.2°C and 46.4°C both exceeded the previous highest temperature for Kalbarri of 46.3°C on 20 February 1985. Records commenced in Kalbarri in 1970.

Geraldton Airport recorded maximum temperatures of 44.6°C (5th), 45.2°C (6th), and 43.6°C (7th), exceeding the previous highest March maximum temperature at the airport of 44.3°C on 1 March 1961 on consecutive days. Records commenced at Geraldton Airport in 1941.

Temperatures in Perth were 40°C or greater on three consecutive days, 40.4°C (5th), 42.0°C (6th), and 42.4°C (7th). This is only the third time since recordings commenced in 1897 that three consecutive days of 40°C or greater have been recorded in March in Perth, whilst the 42.4°C exceeded the previous highest March maximum temperature in Perth of 42.3°C on 5 March 1990.

Cape Leeuwin recorded 39.9°C on 7 March, easily exceeding its previous highest March temperature of 38.2°C recorded on 3 March 1956. Records commenced at Cape Leeuwin in 1907.

Numerous other locations near west coast WA and adjacent parts recorded extreme temperatures between the 5th and 7th with many records broken. For further information, please contact the WA Climate Services Centre (08) 9263 2222, or consult the WA State Summary for March (http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/current/ ) in early April for a full list of March records.