Record-breaking February heatwave peaks at 113.8°F in Adelaide with exceptionally warm nights
Date
7 February 1899
Summary / Overview
A severe heatwave affected Adelaide and wider South Australia during the second week of February 1899, with intense heat persisting both day and night. The event culminated on 12 February, when Adelaide Observatory recorded 113.8°F (45.4°C) in the shade, described by Sir Charles Todd as a new February record. The previous day had reached 110°F (43.3°C). Conditions provided little overnight relief, with minimum temperatures remaining above 20°C throughout 7–13 February. Even coastal areas offered little respite as easterly winds maintained sweltering conditions. Contemporary reports described substantial discomfort and inconvenience for residents, while meteorological observations indicated that the heatwave extended across much of Australia.
Meteorological data recorded at the time
Adelaide Observatory: 11 Feb – 110°F (43.3°C) maximum in shade; 108.5°F (42.5°C) already recorded before 11 a.m. 12 Feb – 113.8°F (45.4°C) in shade by noon, reported as a new February record. 7–13 Feb: minimum temperatures remained ≥20°C throughout the period, indicating persistently warm nights and limited overnight relief.
Historical descriptions / observations
The Express and Telegraph (Adelaide) Mon 13 Feb 1899: ‘Those who have been sighing so long for seasonable summer weather must now be more than satisfied. Both by day and by night the heat has lately been intense. Saturday and Sunday were calorific to a degree—at least a good many degrees. It certainly seems as though the weather is on “record breaking” bent, which for the weather is a most objectionable practice. On Saturday the thermometer registered … 110 in the shade, and on Sunday … 113.8 in the shade…Unless a change arrives soon suffering humanity will have “to take off its skin and sit in its bones”’.
South Australian Register Mon 13 Feb 1899: ‘The heat wave which has been causing much inconvenience to citizens during the past week reached it climax on Sunday, when a new record was put up by the instruments at the Adelaide Observatory. When the Assistant Government Meteorologist, Mr. Griffiths, stated that Friday’s temperature would be exceeded on Saturday it was generally hoped that his forecast would not be realized. However, before 11 o’clock on Saturday all hope of this being the case had to be abandoned, for at that hour the thermometer registered 108.5 in the shade, the highest reading for that day being 110 in the shade … During Saturday evening the wind again veered round to the east, and even it the seaside there was no relief from the (sweltering conditions prevailing in the city. Sunday morning broke clear and fine, and it soon became apparent that the mercury rising with phenomenal rapidity. By noon the official readings were 113.8 in the shade… Sir Charles Todd, when interviewed on Sunday night, said: “Yes, this is a record for the month of February”… This heat wave appears to have been general throughout Australia’. No temperatures below 20ºC from 07–13
Source
23000