SA ends hottest summer on record with another heatwave at the start of autumn

South Australia has recorded its hottest summer on record, with seasonal temperatures more than 3C above average.

• Catastrophic heatwaves to become more common
• Start to autumn expected to be warmest in at least a decade
• The day Adelaide became the hottest city on earth

South Australia has recorded its hottest summer on record, with seasonal temperatures more than 3C above average.

Preliminary data from the Bureau of Meteorology, to be officially released tomorrow, also shows this summer was the state’s driest in 33 years.

Acting supervising meteorologist Matt Bass said the heat was definitely a sign of global warming and climate change.

“We know there is a warming trend that has occurred and it’s proven out of the climate statistics,” he said.

“Having the warmest summer on record matches that pattern of increased warming over time, it does continue the trend that we’ve seen and adds to that historic increase.”

Mr Bass said this summer’s mean maximum temperature for the state was tracking 3.1C warmer than the long-term averages, exceeding the previous record of 2.87C above average in the summer of 2000-01. More than 40 temperature records were broken across the state on January 24.

Observed daily maximum temperatures from December 1 to February 28.

But this summer has sent other records tumbling in parts of SA, some for the lowest summer rainfall and others for the coldest summer day.

Adelaide had its hottest day (46.6C at West Tce) and probably the driest summer for 20 years with less than half the average rainfall, although one rainy day of data is missing for Adelaide when automatic measuring equipment failed.

Observed total rainfall from December 1 to February 28.

“The good news is we do have some relief on the way, we do have a cool change expected through Adelaide later on Saturday, with temperatures gradually cooling down into Sunday morning,” he said.

“It will take a few days for the temperature to really drop down with Sunday still hovering around about 30 degrees but by next week temperatures will be back in the 20s.”

An Extreme Heatwave Emergency Warning has been issued from 9am today.

State Emergency Services deputy chief officer Dermot Barry said it was important to remind people to take care and look after themselves, their family, friends and pets during the heatwave.

SA Health chief medical officer Professor Paddy Phillips asked people to “please be sensible with the heat”.

“We know there’s a lot happening this weekend and we know that it’s going to be really hot, we’re asking people to please stay hydrated, stay cool and stay well,” he said.

“Make sure you have plenty of water available, that you stay indoors during the heat of the day, that you don’t exercise during the heat of the day, that you keep the blinds drawn and the curtains drawn and the airconditioning running. It’s not worth not keeping cool just for the sake of a few dollars.”

He said hospitals were considering postponing planned admissions to accommodate heat-related presentations and would put on extra staff.

Zara, 11, and Dash, 10, cool down at the Leigh Creek pool. Picture: Brad Fleet

At Leigh Creek, Zara Lilly and Dash Franklin kept cool in the town's Olympic-sized swimming pool.

Zara Lilly, 11, said the family visited the pool two or three times a week during summer.

“Mum has a season ticket so we can go here whenever we want,” she said.

Dash enjoys the floating mats, while Zara Lilly loves doing “bombs” and soaking others nearby, including Dash.

SA’s sizzling summer

Preliminary data from the Bureau of Meteorology reveals:

* Hottest SA summer on record, mean maximum temperatures 3.1C warmer than average, exceeding the previous record of 2.87C warmer than average (2000-01).

* Hottest SA January on record.

* Hottest day on record: 49.5C at Port Augusta on January 24.

* Hottest Adelaide day on record 46.6C at West Terrace also on January 24, when multiple records were broken across the state.

* Driest SA summer in 33 years, since 1985-86.

* Some sites had their lowest total summer rainfall on record.

* Mount Lofty had the site’s longest run of no recorded rainfall, 47 consecutive days from December 21 to February 5, exceeding the site’s previous longest run of 24 days in February 2015.

What you should do:

■ Keep cool by staying indoors as much as possible and turn fans and airconditioners on early in the day to stop the heat from building up in your home.

■ Make sure you are drinking plenty of water, even if you do not feel thirsty. Carry a water bottle with you if you go out.

■ Never leave children, or pets, alone in a car.

■ The very young, older people and those who are already unwell are most at risk — check on them regularly.

■ Make sure your pets and animals have shade and water too.

Health information:

■ For immediate medical attention telephone 000 (triple-0).

■ To register for the Telecross REDi service telephone [phone].

Stay informed:

■ Check the SES website at www.ses.sa.gov.au

■ Monitor local conditions and tune in to your local ABC on a battery-powered radio for updates

■ Call the SA Emergency Infoline on 1800 362 361

■ People who are deaf, or have a hearing or speech impairment, can contact the SA Emergency Infoline via the National Relay Service on 1800 555 727 (TTY users 1800 555 677)

■ Follow the SES on Twitter (@SA_SES) or Facebook (SA State Emergency Service)

■ For weather warnings and forecasts visit www.bom.gov.au.

■ For SES assistance phone 132 500

■ For further information visit www.sa.gov.au/extremeheat