Many parts of Far North SA to endure 40C-plus temperatures until weekend relief

Most Outback SA temperatures have been in the 40s and there’s no relief until the weekend. But the people of Andamooka are already used to adjusting their lives around the heat.

In Outback South Australia, residents have to “adjust” their clocks and choose wisely when they venture outdoors to avoid the searing heat.

Across the state’s Far North, it gets hot — really hot. It is a dry, slap-your-face heat.

And for the foreseeable future, the region will be home to Australia’s hottest places.

Temperatures across South Australia's Outback towns.

Since Christmas, a heatwave has blasted much of SA, where many Outback towns have endured more than a week of 40C-plus temperatures.

“It is a bit sad when you welcome a cool change when it gets to 38C,” Roxby Downs retailer Deb Price, 59, said when The Advertiser visited this week.

But until at least the weekend, forecasters say a hot air wave will leave swathes of the state sweltering, from the Nullarbor across into the far west of NSW and Victoria.

Experts say the heatwave is “unusually hot and long” for this early in summer.

Jake Penhall and William Franklin try in vain to keep cool at Blue Dam, on the outskirts of Andamooka. Picture: TAIT SCHMAAL

While Adelaide temperatures are expected to reach 41C on Thursday, the state’s hottest place is forecast for the remote Aboriginal community of Oak Valley, 516km northwest of Ceduna, at more than 49C.

Vying for the state’s hottest towns will also be Oodnadatta, 415km southeast of the Northern Territory border, which is set to roast in 47C as is Maree 657km, north of Adelaide.

If travelling in the Northern areas of the South Australia, the temps continue to remain high.

Ensure you check for up to date information for your travel route, rest stops & destination.

Take plenty of food & water in case of emergency and tell someone your journey plans. pic.twitter.com/LTbcnltGGz

— SA SES (@SA_SES) January 1, 2019

Forecasters say temperatures of 46C are expected on Thursday in locations such as Wudinna, 215km north of Port Lincoln on the Eyre Peninsula, Tarcoola, 413km northwest of Port Augusta and Coober Pedy, a further 377km north.

Expected median-maximum temperatures in January. Source: Bureau of Meteorology

The Bureau of Meteorology predicts Andamooka, 590km north of Adelaide, will also reach 46C, while nearby Roxby Downs and Olympic Dam — where pilots flying into the tiny airport have to be careful about weight in the hot weather — will reach 45C.

Most Outback temperatures will be in the 40s before relief comes over the weekend, with a drop back into the 30s.

Last month, records were smashed in many locations, such as Moomba, which recorded 16 days above 40C and six consecutive days hotter than 42C. At least 15 locations recorded their hottest December day. Oodnadatta recorded 23 days above 35C, a jump from its average of 18 days.

CURRENT TEMPERATURES ACROSS SOUTH AUSTRALIA

BOM duty forecaster Ben Owen yesterday said such a “hot spell” was rare.

“This heatwave is unusually hot and unusually long for this early in summer,” he said.

Brave — or silly depending on whom you talk to — Far North locals say venturing outdoors is like stepping into an inferno. Stoic residents say you can’t use the taps after 9am without scalding yourself, roads melt and you burn almost instantly in the scorching sunshine.

Lawns or plants will die if watered during the day as the water burns greenery.

“You are supposed to board a plane to Roxby but instead you board one to hell,” said bottle shop owner, mother of five Jessica Launer, 36, who lets worker Brigette Taheny, 36, cool off in the freezer.

Bottle shop worker Brigette Taheny, 36, cooling off in the freezer at Roxby Downs. Picture: Tait Schmaal.

“The first year or two is tough but then you seem to manage it.” Locals say while the mercury says one thing it feels even hotter outside — sometimes backyard thermometers say it is in the 50s.

Fans don’t cut it up here. It is “refrigerated” airconditioners, and — if you can afford it — a pool. Families with young children, find life challenging.

Desiree McGurgan, 26, said she and her two daughters — two year-old Mirelle and six-month-old Vienna — experience “cabin fever” with pet collie dog Lacey.

Mrs McGurgan, who moved from Adelaide with town chemist husband Shaun, 33, more than three years ago, said Mirelle loves using the hose to keep cool. “Kids are a bit more resilient, they cope pretty well,” she said.

William Franklin, 11, and friend Jake Penhall, 10, at Blue Dam on the outskirts of Andamooka. Picture: Tait Schmaal

Desert dwellers laugh when “city slickers” visit, or when those down south complain about it being hot in the 30s.

“That is nothing, it gets bloody hot up here — everything fries,” said Andamooka mother of two Julie Franklin, 40. “You have to hibernate inside as there is no point going outdoors because you will fry in two seconds. City slickers struggle up here, especially in the summer months.”

Her opal miner husband, Greg, 41, added: “You adjust your time clock to avoid the middle of the day.

Desiree McGurgan, 26 with her daughter Mirelle, 2 in the backyard of their Roxby Downs home. Picture: Tait Schmaal

“You either have to get up really early and get stuff done or you wait until after 5pm when the sun’s bite starts getting less. You don’t shower until at least 9pm.”

Almost 6km north east, is a small patch of paradise — Blue Dam — surrounded by opal mines on the outskirts of the Andamooka station.

Despite being located in the middle of nowhere, the 20,000 sqm waterway never goes dry because of a rare water table.

Mr Franklin, an opal miner, takes son William, 11, swimming with friends, including Jake Penhall, 10. “It is like a little oasis out here, the kids just love it,” Mr Franklin said.

The community are trying to raise $100,000 for a new swimming pool — the nearest facility is a 32-minute drive away in Roxby Downs. So far, $20,000 has been raised.