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Australia's Deadly 1896 Heatwave: A Fiery Warning
16 Jan
Summary
- A 24-day heatwave in January 1896 killed at least 437 people.
- Temperatures exceeded 38 degrees Celsius for nearly a month.
- Recent years, including 2025, have seen Australia's mean temperature significantly above average.
Australia's historical climate records reveal extreme heatwaves are not a new phenomenon. In January 1896, a brutal 24-day heatwave gripped the nation, causing at least 437 deaths. Temperatures consistently exceeded 38 degrees Celsius, leading to widespread bushfires and people succumbing to the heat in public spaces.
The 1896 heatwave saw temperatures reach 48.9°C in Bourke, New South Wales. Newspapers of the time described the immense suffering, with hospitals inundated and many fearing for their lives. The extreme conditions prompted mass evacuations as residents fled cities for cooler regions, with trains running at discount prices.
In stark comparison, recent years have also seen concerning heat patterns. Australia's mean temperature in 2025 was over 1.2°C above average, ranking as the fourth-warmest year on record. This period has witnessed multiple days above 42°C in Sydney, underscoring a recurring challenge of extreme heat.
