Weather records set to tumble with temperatures in WA tipped to hit 50C

TOWNS in some parts of Australia are warned to brace for near 50C temperatures. It may go down as the hottest day in the nation’s history.

A HEATWAVE in Western Australia’s north is likely to bring record-smashing temperatures, the weather bureau says.

A large mass of slow-moving hot air sitting over the Pilbara region has led to an ongoing heatwave.

Spokesman Neil Bennett said searing heat of 49C-50C was tipped for the Pilbara today. Before daybreak, the temperature in some places had already reached 34C.

“We’re likely to see records go at a number of locations,” he said.

The records under threat include 49.2C at Marble Bar, which was set in January 1922.

Mardie, where the state’s hottest temperature of 50.5C was set in February 1998, was forecast to reach 49C, Mr Bennett said

Where would you be? ... A sign that hangs outside the pub all year round.

Escape ... The iron Clad hotel in Marble Bar will be chockers today.

The national record is 50.7C, which was set at Oodnadatta in South Australia in January 1960.

Pardoo Station which is often smashed by tropical cyclones is also expected to swelter on Friday.

Mr Bennett urged miners working in the extreme conditions to drink plenty of water and take lots of breaks.

Warning ... Mine workers in the area have been urged to drink plenty of water. Picture: Getty

Scorcher ... The Pilbara town of Karratha is expected to hit 45 degrees with inland areas set to go even higher.

The larger Pilbara towns of Karratha and Port Hedland won’t escape either, with forecasts of 45C and 48C respectively.

Two West Australian towns have already broken their records for the hottest January day, with Bulga Downs recording 48C and Carnarvon 47.9C on Wednesday.

Record breaker ... Marble Bar is a town and rock formation in the Pilbara region of north-western Western Australia. It is well known for its extremely hot weather.

Meanwhile Perth’s 55-day dry spell continues, with a smattering of rain around the city early on Thursday not registering in gauges. “It pales into insignificance compared to the record longest dry spell of 83 days set between December 15, 1974, and March 7, 1975,” Mr Bennett said.

Originally published as Weather records set to tumble with temperatures in WA tipped to hit 50C