Record-Breaking Summer For Perth

Temperatures have exceeded 100 degrees F for the 19th time this summer inPerth, Australia. The city is in the clutches of another major heat wave, oneof many this summer, that will break the standing record for persistent hightemperatures.A local report on Friday, Feb. 25, stated that the number of consecutive dayshitting at least 30 degrees C, or 86 degrees F, had reached 19. With so manydays already tallied, the city's standing record of 25 such days would seem tobe within easy reach.

Google MapsNot only will the next several days be hotter than the normal summer city highof about 30 degrees C, it will be downright sweltering with highs potentiallyabove 38 degrees C, or 100 degrees F. Friday reached a high of 38.9 C (102 F).

The high temperature hit 38 degrees C (100 F) again on Saturday. TemperaturesSunday through much of next week are expected to be near the 100-degree mark.

The report also made mention of the abnormally warm nights and muggy humidity,which are unusual in this coastal city.

Weather data tracked by AccuWeather.com shows that the Perth airport has beenhotter than normal for February by an average of 4.7 degrees C, or 8.5 degreesF, as of Feb. 25. January and February have been particularly hot withtemperatures averaging 4.1 degrees C, or 7.3 degrees F, above normal combinedbetween both months.

Above-normal sea surface temperatures linked to La Nina, the tropical PacificOcean phenomenon, and also the current state of the temperature of the IndianOcean, are culprits underlying the abnormal warmth.

Helping this warming along is the high frequency of easterly winds waftingdesert heat seaward. Normally, aside from the occasional summer hot spell, seabreezes from the Indian Ocean to the west cap daytime temperatures.

Story by Jim Andrews and Eric Leister, AccuWeather.com Meteorologists.