The Bureau of Meteorology MetEye map shows the extent of the area that will experience temperatures over 45 degrees.Credit:Bureau of Meteorology
In Roebourne and Mardie,temperatures hit 50.5 degrees about midday,both tied with the hottest day recorded in the state’s history and the second-hottest day in Australian records.
The maximum temperature ever recorded in WA before was 50.5 degrees in Mardie in 1998.
Bureau of Meteorology meteorologist Luke Huntington said the heatwave meant a high chance of multiple towns hitting 50 degrees in the worst-affected areas across the next few days.
“The Pilbara region has had persistent hot temperatures over the last few months and there has been no rainfall to really take away the hot air that has built up,” he said.
“Over the next few months there is a high chance that temperatures on a day-to-day basis will be above average,at least until the wet season rains hit properly.”
A map from the Bureau of Meteorology showing the average rainfall from November 1 to December 31,2020 (left) compared to the same period in 2021 (right). Orange areas show lower rainfall in the state’s north in 2021,compared to heavy rain indicated by green and blue regions in 2020.Credit:Bureau of Meteorology
This year’s rainfall has been well under average,between 0-50 millimetres across November and December,compared to 2-300 millimetres in 2020.