A 45.3c Monster: 79 Killed By Record-breaking Heat Wave

Sydney Morning Herald

Tuesday April 18, 2006

SATURDAY was the hottest day ever experienced in Sydney. The maximum temperature, 113.6 degrees, broke a record which has stood for 32 years, since January 13, 1896, by a margin of 5.1 degrees.

The intense heat in the country caused an appalling death toll, especially among children and aged people. Up to last night the deaths of 79 persons had been reported during the heat wave. Thirty-eight died on Saturday.

A scorching north-west wind, which to use the words of the State Meteorologist, Mr Mares, "tapped the tremendous reservoir of heat which has been building up for a month over the parched interior of the continent," bought with it dense masses of dust and bushfire smoke which completely enveloped the city, reducing visibility, particularly on the harbour, down to dangerous limits.

Sleep was practically impossible, as the hot, dry air made furniture, floors and bedding hot to touch.

At Bourke yesterday the maximum was 116 degrees, making the 30th day over 100 degrees.

In Albury, where the temperature on Saturday for the tenth successive day exceeded 100 degrees, there were further deaths. The total number of deaths in that town is now 29. At Hay the deaths reported over the week-end totalled 19.