Australia has just experienced its hottest spring on record, with average temperatures soaring more than two degrees Celsius above the long-term average, according to new data from the Bureau of Meteorology.
The national mean temperature between September and November was 2.08 degrees Celsius above the baseline 1961-1990 average, surpassing the previous record set in 2020 of 2.03 degrees, local media reported.
“This spring’s temperatures have been extraordinary,” a spokesperson from the Bureau said. “It’s a clear indication of the warming trend we’re seeing globally.”
All states and territories recorded spring mean temperatures in the top ten on record. Queensland stood out as it recorded its hottest spring, with mean temperatures 2.47 degrees above the baseline average.
In addition to the heat, the national spring rainfall was 28 percent above the 1961-1990 average. September and November were wetter than average, while October was drier. Several stations with over 50 years of data reported their highest total spring rainfall ever.
The Bureau has also forecasted a heatwave for much of the country in the first week of summer. Temperatures have already surpassed 30 degrees Celsius along the populous east coast, and parts of Western Australia are expected to exceed 40 degrees Celsius in the coming days.
Experts warn that these extreme conditions could become the new normal if global efforts to combat climate change are not intensified.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
