In the late 19th century, Australia was struck by a heatwave so intense that 435 people were killed. But science says the heatwaves we experience today are significantly hotter than those in the past.
In the late 19th century, Australia was struck by a heatwave so intense that 435 people were killed and hundreds more were sent fleeing for their lives.Bourke, NSW, is recorded as hitting 48.9C three times in 1896, with a maximum temperature of 38C for over three weeks straight
But climate scientists say the methods used to record temperature in 1896 were flawed and heatwaves today are hotterThe 1895-1896 heatwave during the Federation Drought holds the record as Australia's deadliest heatwave, closely followed by 2009, which recorded at leastThe town of Bourke lost at least 40 people — 1.6 per cent of its population — during the 1896 event, while Sydney authorities reported hospitals at breaking point and pedestrians collapsing in the streets.
Newspaper reports describe temperatures in Bourke reaching 48.9 degrees Celsius on three occasions, and the maximum temperature remaining above 38C for 24 consecutive days.this summer, the 1896 event is sometimes viewed as evidence that Australia has always experienced extraordinary heat, and that the effects of climate change are overblown.
But climate scientists say that is an oversimplification, and the heatwaves we experience today are significantly hotter than those in the past.
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