Heat wave smashes Cobar’s weather records
Wednesday November 25, 2009
Beating the heat: Eating iceblocks and sitting inside in front of the fan is one way of
keeping cool according to Blake, Stevie and Tayla Toomey
.Cobar’s weather records were smashed last week with a run of 40 degrees-plus temperatures.
During the week Cobar recorded its highest November maximum temperature on record, its highest November minimum temperature, and the week ended the longest run of consecutive days with the temperature over 35 degrees.
Friday was not only the hottest day of the month, but its maximum temperature of 45.4 degrees was the hottest day all year with the hottest previously recorded in February of 43.5 degrees.
It was also the hottest November day on record, with the hottest previously recorded 43.6 degrees on November 30, 2004.
Residents knew they were set for a hot day when the temperature had already reached 37 degrees by 9am on Friday.
By 3pm, the temperature was 43.3 degrees and just six per cent relative humidity.
Friday also broke the record for the highest overnight temperature for November, with a minimum of 28.8 degrees recorded.
Records were already broken on Thursday, when the temperature reached 43.9 degrees.
Monday and Wednesday also cracked the 40 degrees mark, reaching 41 degrees.
Saturday capped off the longest stretch of consecutive November days where the temperature climbed above 35 degrees when it was the 11th day in a row of searing heat.
A welcome cool change began to pass through on Sunday, with wind gusts up to 56km/h and a top of 33 degrees, while winter-like temperatures were experienced on Monday with a top of just 20 degrees and bringing around 7mm of rain.
Last week’s heat saw record breaking temperatures across the state, prompting total fire bans.
The Far Western region, including Cobar, was one of a number of areas to be issued a
Catastrophic Fire Danger warning.
NSW Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said the rating was not a call for panic, but urged residents to be alert.
“Firefighters were concerned about the bush fire threat posed by potentially record breakingNovember temperatures, low humidity and strong north-westerly winds,” he said.
The fire danger rating also forced the closure of a number of national parks in the region, including Gundabooka National Park.
Cooler conditions are now set to stick around for the start of this week, with temperatures not expected to reach the heights of last week.
The Bureau of Meteorology is forecasting a top of 34 degrees today with a mostly fine day.
Tomorrow there is the chance of a thunderstorm and showers, with the temperature to range from a minimum of 19 degrees to a maximum of 34 degrees.
A fine day is forecast for Friday with the temperature to reach 33 degrees.
A cooler weekend is ahead with Saturday predicted to reach a maximum of 30 degrees while 25 degrees is forecast for Sunday.
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