Weather Turns Up The Heat On Power Supply
Newcastle Herald
Thursday February 12, 2004
YESTERDAY'S searing heat saw new records set for electricity demand in the Hunter.
And there is no end in sight to the heat wave that has pushed the mercury to a sweltering 40 degrees and beyond in many parts of the Hunter Valley.
Electricity demand, which eclipsed the previous record set in January last year, caused a substation in Tyrrell Street, Newcastle, to fail at 12.10am.
It caused electricity cuts to homes and businesses in Cooks Hill, Newcastle West, Bar Beach, The Junction and Hamilton for about 90 minutes.
An EnergyAustralia spokesman said the extreme heat caused energy consumption to peak earlier in the day than was usual.
``It was a very trying day," the spokesman said.
``It got very hot very quickly.
``You normally don't experience that sort of demand until later in the day when people get home and turn their air-conditioners on."
There was not even a sea breeze to put a dint in the sweltering air.
The usually blowy Nobbys Beach recorded a scorching maximum of 39 degrees.
Many Hunter Valley residents watched the mercury soar to a maximum of 42 degrees.
Fuelled by north-westerly winds, temperatures peaked yesterday in a summer heat wave that has sent people scurrying for the shade all week.
A welcome southerly change chased away the sticky heat during the afternoon, but The Herald's weather consultant Don White said the reprieve would be short-lived.
He said temperatures and humidity were expected to soar again by Sunday and to stay high for the rest of the week.
Mr White said heat waves were not uncommon in February, especially steamy ones.
Humidity climbed above 85per cent earlier this week.
``Basically we have got a very persistent north-east/north-west air flow, with air coming from inland Queensland, which is hot and humid," he said.
YESTERDAY'S HOT SPOTS
Singleton 42
Paterson 42
Taree 42
Gosford 41
Jerrys Plains 41
Maitland 41
Cessnock 41
Western Newcastle 40
Nobbys Beach 39
© 2004 Newcastle Herald