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Australia's Scorching September Shatters Heat Records
5 Oct
Summary
- Australia experienced its second hottest September on record.
- Night-time minimum temperatures were the highest for any September.
- Snow depth in Kosciuszko National Park hit zero for the first time.
Last September marked Australia's second hottest on record, amplified by global heating and an intensifying El Niño. Minimum night-time temperatures were the highest ever recorded for September, with every state experiencing average temperatures in the top five warmest for the month.
Alpine areas also faced record-breaking heat. Notably, snow depth in Kosciuszko National Park reached zero in September for the first time since 1954. Thredbo recorded its hottest September day at 16C, and average night-time temperatures there exceeded freezing for the first time.
This phenomenon is linked to climate change and a "seasonal creep," indicating earlier winters ending and springs beginning sooner. While Western Australia saw its second-wettest September, most other regions experienced significantly below-average rainfall.
