Aussie Heatwave Hits Record Highs—And the Weather Forecast Isn’t Giving Us a Break
Record‑Breaking Summer: The Big, Hot, Aussie Blouse
Australia has just wrapped up its hottest summer on record from December to February. The Bureau of Meteorology, led by long‑range forecasting genius Andrew Watkins, has already been bragging that the average maximum and mean temperature for the entire season is more than 2 °C above long‑term averages. The final numbers will land on Friday, but the heads-up says: this summer was, and still is, a record‑setter.
Rain? What Rain? A Dry Outlook for Autumn
- January was the hottest month ever across the continent, with a mean of over 30 °C.
- Rainfall stayed consistently below normal, meaning the dreaded mid‑region drought is showing no signs of easing.
- Watkins warns, “We’ll probably not see any return to average or above average rainfall for much of the autumn.”
Heat‑Wrecked Fish and Wrecked Fires
The relentless heat has killed over a million fish in the Murray‑Darling river system—a big river that gobbles up five east‑side states—and has turned the bushfires that lean on the arid south‑east into a sprawling wildfire empire that spread into the tropical north‑east. The stakes are high, and the weather’s playing all the cards.
Wheat Woes & Global Prices Rise
Dry conditions are set to curb wheat crop yields for a third straight year, a fact highlighted by US‑based forecaster Kyle Tapley (Radiant Solutions). He points out:
- Australia’s wheat production hit an 11‑year low in 2018/19 (17.3 million tonnes vs 21.24 million tonnes the year before).
- Continued drought will likely keep wheat prices up, as seen last month when global prices hit a 10‑month low.
- Farmers are bracing for another wheat season in 2019/20 starting in April.
Gauges on the Horizon: 3–6 Months of Dry Dust
Looking ahead, Watkins and Tapley expect “drier‑than‑normal weather in parts of Queensland and New South Wales.” The Australian government’s announcement paints a picture of an autumn that’s not just warm but also wanting when it comes to water.
All these elements combine to make this year a memorable one for Australia’s climate—hot, dry, and ready to test the resilience of its people, wildlife, and harvests.
