Week-long February heatwave brings extreme temperatures, heat-related deaths and bushfires across South Australia
Date
12–16 February 1895
Summary / Overview
A prolonged and oppressive heatwave affected South Australia in mid-February 1895. In Adelaide, temperatures exceeded 100°F for at least three consecutive days, reaching 105.4°F (40.8°C), while around Port Elliot temperatures reportedly remained near or above 100°F for seven or eight days. The accumulated heat caused houses and workplaces to become extremely hot, with little overnight relief and some nighttime temperatures remaining above 90°F (32.2°C). Contemporary reports described difficulty sleeping and residents gathering on verandahs and doorsteps at night. Numerous bushfires added smoke and further discomfort, particularly around Adelaide and Morialta. Several deaths in Adelaide and Port Augusta were attributed to “heat apoplexy.” Newspapers also discussed adaptation to extreme heat, including lighter clothing, changing working hours, whitening roofs and insulating ceilings. A cool change arrived on Sunday, 17 February, ending the prolonged spell.
Meteorological data recorded at the time
Adelaide: 105.4°F (40.8°C) shade on 12 and 13 Feb; 103.2°F (39.6°C) shade on 14 Feb; ≥3 consecutive days above 100°F. The week was described as “one of the warmest spells experienced in February since records began.”
Port Elliot district: shade temperature around or above 100°F (37.8°C) for 7–8 days; direct-sun temperature reportedly averaged >50°F higher; on several successive days temperatures reportedly did not fall below 90°F (32.2°C).
Historical descriptions / observations
South Australian Register Fri 15 Feb 1895: ‘Yesterday was, indeed, a trying time for the residents of Southern Australia generally. Not that the actual temperature was higher than that of the previous day. In Adelaide, for instance, the thermometer in the shade only went up to 103.2°, while the record of the two previous days had been 105.4°…But of three days with the shade reading of the instrument in excess of 100° the third is always found the most oppressive. Houses, shops, and offices have been thoroughly warmed up, and the fierce heat of the sun seems to penetrate through almost any thickness of wall. In a comparatively short burst of heat those who inhabit two-story houses and buildings with exceptionally thick walls have a great advantage over their less fortunate neighbours whose residences have only a ground door. But in the longest bouts of hot weather the relentless beating of the sun’s rays must have the effect sooner or later of raising almost every room to a high temperature…The way in which the heat worked up yesterday, and the attendant discomfort of numerous bush fires which obscured the sky with dense clouds of smoke, almost justified the impression that the colony was to have another visitation like that of the historic Black Thursday. Apprehensions to this effect were not realized, but the reality was unpleasant enough… it has been customary for some Victorians to quote… that ‘Adelaide is the hottest city that Englishmen inhabit’…The best methods of preparing for and mitigating the influence of hot weather are still but little understood or practised in Australia. A more sensible style of dress is gradually coming into vogue…little or nothing has been done in the way of breaking through the practice of working hard in the hottest hours of the day. As for dwelling- houses, a fair number of people have had their roof whitened with more or less permanent paint or wash, while a few have lined their ceilings with seaweed…’
The Express and Telegraph (Adelaide) Fri 15 Feb 1895: Port Augusta, February 14. Mr. Morris McSporran, landlord of the Standpipe Hotel, Port Augusta West, died rather suddenly at 1 o’clock this afternoon. It is presumed that death was due to heat apoplexy. A doctor was called, but it was too late. The deceased was a very old resident of the west side’.
South Australian Chronicle Sat 16 Feb 1895: ‘Two cases of heat apoplexy occurred in the city on Thursday, both of which proved fatal. James Eabes, an employee of Messrs. W. H. Burford & Sons, whilst driving; one of the firm’s carts over the City bridge, Morphett street fell out of the cart. He was taken to the Adelaide Hospital in an unconscious condition and died late on Thursday night. Another death resulting from the same cause occurred at the Adelaide Hospital. The unfortunate man in this case was Thomas Edwin Penery, employed as a cook at the hospital…Janett Hope, a widow, aged 70 years, died suddenly at 5 p.m. yesterday at her daughter’s residence, Hanson- place. She has been suffering from a delicate heart for the last six months, but has not been attended by a doctor for some time. The coroner has been informed and considered an inquest unnecessary’.
South Australian Register Mon 18 Feb 1895: ‘No one requires to be told that last week was warm… Certainly the most abused man during the spell of heat was the Government Astronomer. It was certainly cruel of the officers of the Observatory to twice rouse the hopes of people moaning beneath the sweltering heat or vainly trying to get a few hours’ sleep by telling them that a change had been signalled as passing along the Bight, and then to disappoint them by telling them it had gone south… This week has been one of the warmest spells experienced in February since records began’.
The Advertiser Mon 18 Feb 1895: ‘The heat on Saturday was again intense. In the evening the smoke from the large fire which had been blazing throughout the day near Morialta was wafted down by eastern breezes to the city, and the atmosphere, which had before been almost unbearable, now became stifling. People were not anxious to go to bed, so they sat on the doorsteps or reclined in their verandahs wondering when the change would come, or listening to the querulous remarks of the domestic cat whose objection to hot bricks has become almost proverbial.
Southern Argus (Port Elliot) Thu 21 Feb 1895: ‘A delightful change took place in the weather on Sunday last, not before it was sadly needed, the long spell of excessive heat having made life a regular burden. For seven or eight days the shade temperature registered over or about 100 degree, the direct heat averaging over 50 degrees higher. Houses got very hot, and as there was little or no wind night as well as day was almost unbearable. In many cases the thermometer did not fall below 90o for several successive days! Bush fires ranging all round us added to the discomforts of the situation, and altogether was cause for thankfulness when the cool change set in.’
Source
23000