Australia: the thermometer reaches 50.7 degrees in the west of the country, unheard of

A sign of global warming, record temperatures were recorded on January 13 in Australia, where the thermometer reached 50.7 degrees in Western Australia.

(Illustration) Béatrice André

Text by: RFI Follow

1 min

A sign of global warming, record temperatures were recorded on January 13 in Australia, where the thermometer reached 50.7 degrees in Western Australia.

And this while the temperature varies between 30 and 40 degrees at this time of year.

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With 50.7 degrees, it is a level of heat not recorded in the country for more than 60 years.

According to the Bureau of Meteorology, this record temperature that residents of the coastal town of Onslow have experienced could become frequent due to global warming.

A worrying forecast for the country, because according to the Australian Council for the climate, heat waves are already killing silently.

In 2021, Australia experienced an extremely hot summer that caused major

in the west of the country, and deadly floods on its east coast.

Extreme heat which is likely to be more frequent

Meteorological services warn that without a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, this

.

The cities of Sydney and Melbourne spared so far could also experience summer temperatures of 50 degrees by 2030.

Known for its high temperatures and drought, the Pilbara mining region in the north-west of the country recorded this record heat on Thursday, while the temperature at this time of year is traditionally between 30 ° C and 40°C.

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