2009 southeastern Australia heat wave

Weather event in Australia March 2017 25 January – 8 February 2009 09 Aus heatwave map.PNG Approximate affected area shown in red 48.8 Hopetoun, Victoria 7 February 2009 374http://www.theage.com.au/national/victorias-heatwave-claimed-374-lives-20090406-9ubd.html Death toll soared during Victoria's heatwaves The Age 6 April 2009 18 November 2009 Melbourne Mex Cooper South Australia, Victoria, Southern New South Wales, Northern Tasmania, ACT The 2009 southeastern Australia heat wave was a heat wave that lasted from 25 January to 8 February and led to record-breaking prolonged high temperatures in the region. The heat wave is considered one of the, if not the, most extreme in the region's history. Heatwave record set in Melbourne Australian Broadcasting Corporation ABC News 30 January 2009 http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/01/30/2478827.htm https://web.archive.org/web/20090205105509/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/01/30/2478827.htm dead 5 February 2009 1 February 2009 During the heat wave, fifty separate locations set various records for consecutive, highest daytime and overnight temperatures. The highest temperature recorded during the heat wave was 48.8 °C °F in Hopetoun, Victoria, a record for the state that stood until 2026.Miles Daniel Victorian maximum temperature record broken as heatwave engulfs Australia https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01-27/heatwave-record-temperatures-victoria/106273034 ABC News Australian Broadcasting Corporation 27 January 2026 27 January 2026 Many locations through the region recorded all-time high temperatures including capital cities Adelaide, which reached its third-highest temperature, 45.7 °C °F, and Melbourne, which recorded its highest-ever temperature on record, 46.4 °C °F. Both cities broke records for the most consecutive days over 40 °C °F, while Mildura, Victoria recorded an all-time record twelve consecutive days over 43 °C °F. The exceptional heat wave was caused by a slow-moving high-pressure system that settled over the Tasman Sea, with a combination of an intense tropical low located off the North West Australian coast and a monsoon trough over Northern Australia, which produced ideal conditions for hot tropical air to be directed down over southeastern Australia. The exceptional January–February 2009 heatwave in south-eastern Australia National Climate Centre Bureau of Meteorology 2 12 February 2009 http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/current/statements/scs17d.pdf The heat began in South Australia on 25 January but became more widespread over southeast Australia by 27 January. A weak cool change moved over the southern coastal areas bringing some relief on 30 January, including Melbourne, where the change arrived that evening, dropping temperatures to an average of 30.8 °C °F. Higher temperatures returned on the following weekend with Melbourne recording its hottest day since records began in 1855, 46.4 °C °F.http://www.theage.com.au/national/city-swelters-records-tumble-in-heat-20090207-80ai.html City swelters, records tumble in heat The Age, Melbourne 7 February 2009 7 February 2009 Hamish Townsend The heat wave generated extreme fire conditions during the peak of the 2008–09 Australian bushfire season, causing many bushfires in the affected region, contributing to the extreme bushfire conditions on 7 February, also known as the Black Saturday bushfires, which claimed 173 lives in Victoria.Bushfire update Victorian Government Victoria Police 9 February 2009 http://www.police.vic.gov.au/content.asp?Document_ID=19190 9 February 2009 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20090313151520/http://www.police.vic.gov.au/content.asp?Document_ID=19190 13 March 2009 Cause The heat wave was caused by a slow-moving high-pressure system that settled over the Tasman Sea. Coupled with an intense tropical low and a monsoon trough over Northern Australia, this produced hot, tropical air to be directed over southeastern Australia, raising temperatures significantly. The CSIRO stated that "The warm lower tropospheric anticyclone is the key synoptic weather system responsible for the heat-waves."The Meteorology of Australia's Heat Waves http://www.cawcr.gov.au/events/modelling_workshops/workshop_2009/presentations/McBRIDE_2DEC.pdf 14 February 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20100925045004/http://www.cawcr.gov.au/events/modelling_workshops/workshop_2009/presentations/McBRIDE_2DEC.pdf 25 September 2010 The heat wave was the worst in Australia's history. Records and statistics During the heat wave, several records were broken; Tasmania recorded its highest-ever temperature; 42.2 °C (108 °F) in Scamander, and the long-standing Tasmanian record of 40.8 °C °F (recorded in Hobart on 4 January 1976) was broken five times within two days at Flinders Island, Fingal (twice), St Helens and Scamander,http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24984926-12377,00.html Houses destroyed, records broken in heatwave 30 January 2009 The Australian News Limited 31 January 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090306064954/http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24984926-12377,00.html 6 March 2009 dead dmy-all while Hopetoun in Victoria recorded the highest temperature of the heat wave, 48.8 °C °F, which was a state record until 2026. Adelaide, South Australia Average daily maximum 27 January – 7 February: 40.5 °C °F – (11.1 °C (20.0 °F) above average) Daily maximum temperature ADELAIDE (KENT TOWN) Bureau of Meteorology http://www.bom.gov.au/jsp/ncc/cdio/weatherData/av?p_nccObsCode=122&p_display_type=dailyDataFile&p_startYear=2009&p_stn_num=023090 20 October 2010 13 Consecutive days over 33 °C °F 6 Consecutive days over 40 °C °F 4 Consecutive days over 43 °C °F Melbourne, Victoria Average daily maximum 27 January – 7 February: 35.9 °C °F – (10.1 °C (18.2 F) above average) Daily maximum temperature MELBOURNE REGIONAL OFFICE Bureau of Meteorology http://www.bom.gov.au/jsp/ncc/cdio/weatherData/av?p_nccObsCode=122&p_display_type=dailyDataFile&p_startYear=2009&p_stn_num=086071 20 October 2010 12 Consecutive days over 28 °C °F 5 Consecutive days over 30 °C °F 3 Consecutive days over 43 °C °F Mildura, Victoria 12 Consecutive days over 40 °C °F 5 Consecutive days over 42 °C °F Wagga Wagga, New South Wales 14 Consecutive days over 35 °C °F 13 Consecutive days over 37.8 °C °F 4 Consecutive days over 40 °C °F Temperatures (daily maximum) Avalon, Victoria January 2009 27th – 32.9 °C °FAvalon, Victoria January 2009 Daily Weather Observations Bureau of Meteorology http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/dwo/200901/html/IDCJDW3003.200901.shtml 1 February 2009 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20090205153230/http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/dwo/200901/html/IDCJDW3003.200901.shtml 5 February 2009 28th – 41.9 °C °F 29th – 45.8 °C °F 30th – 45.0 °C °F February 7th – 47.9 °C °F (record high, 2.1 °C higher than previous record) Ceduna, South Australia January 2009 27th – 44.8 °C °FCeduna, South Australia January 2009 Daily Weather Observations Bureau of Meteorology http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/dwo/200901/html/IDCJDW5009.200901.shtml 4 February 2009 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20090205153247/http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/dwo/200901/html/IDCJDW5009.200901.shtml 5 February 2009 28th – 47.5 °C °F 29th – 42.3 °C °F 30th – 39.3 °C °F 31st – 42.9 °C °F February 1st – 41.1 °C °F 2nd – 34.1 °C °F 3rd – 32.1 °C °F 4th – 41.5 °C °F 5th – 31.7 °C °F 6th – 46.4 °C °F Mildura, Victoria thumb|220px|right|A graph of the minimum and maximum temperatures recorded in Mildura, Victoria at the airport January 2009 26th – 38.0 °C °FMildura, Victoria January 2009 Daily Weather Observations Bureau of Meteorology http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/dwo/200901/html/IDCJDW3051.200901.shtml 4 February 2009 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20090205153235/http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/dwo/200901/html/IDCJDW3051.200901.shtml 5 February 2009 27th – 41.5 °C °F 28th – 43.7 °C °F 29th – 42.8 °C °F 30th – 43.3 °C °F 31st – 44.1 °C °F February 1st – 42.9 °C °F 2nd – 42.6 °C °F 3rd – 40.1 °C °F 4th – 40.9 °C °F 5th – 41.1 °C °F 6th – 43.1 °C °F 7th – 46.7 °C °F – 12th consecutive day over 40 °C 8th – 34.6 °C °F Deniliquin, New South Wales January 2009 26th – 37.8 °C °F 27th – 39.5 °C °F 28th – 43.0 °C °F 29th – 42.7 °C °F 30th – 44.5 °C °F 31st – 44.2 °C °F February 1st – 43.0 °C °F 2nd – 38.3 °C °F 3rd – 38.2 °C °F 4th – 39.2 °C °F 5th – 42.1 °C °F 6th – 41.5 °C °F 7th – 46.6 °C °Fhttp://www.bom.gov.au/climate/dwo/200901/html/IDCJDW2039.200901.shtml Deniliquin, New South Wales – January 2009 Daily Weather Observations Bureau of Meteorology 20 November 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20090205153220/http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/dwo/200901/html/IDCJDW2039.200901.shtml 5 February 2009 South-east bakes under record temperatures Australian Broadcasting Corporation ABC News 7 February 2009 http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/07/2485183.htm?section=australia https://web.archive.org/web/20090215002124/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/07/2485183.htm?section=australia dead 15 February 2009 7 February 2009 Swan Hill, Victoria January 2009 26th – 37.7 °C °FSwan Hill, Victoria January 2009 Daily Weather Observations Bureau of Meteorology http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/dwo/200901/html/IDCJDW3077.200901.shtml 1 February 2009 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20090205153240/http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/dwo/200901/html/IDCJDW3077.200901.shtml 5 February 2009 27th – 40.8 °C °F 28th – 43.8 °C °F 29th – 43.4 °C °F 30th – 44.6 °C °F 31st – 44.5 °C °F February 1st – 43.0 °C °F 2nd – 40.8 °C °F 3rd – 38.3 °C °F 4th – 40.0 °C °F 5th – 42.5 °C °F 6th – 42.6 °C °F 7th – 46.6 °C °F Melbourne, Victoria Temperatures have been recorded since 1855. thumb|right|220px|Temperature graph for Melbourne during the peak of the heatwave. thumb|right|600px|Detailed temperature graph for Melbourne during the peak of the heatwave. January 2009 27th – 36.4 °C °FMelbourne, Victoria January 2009 Daily Weather Observations Bureau of Meteorology http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/dwo/200901/html/IDCJDW3050.200901.shtml 1 February 2009 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20090406072111/http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/dwo/200901/html/IDCJDW3050.200901.shtml 6 April 2009 28th – 43.4 °C °F 29th – 44.3 °C °F 30th – 45.1 °C °F – Third-hottest day recorded in Melbourne. 31st – 30.5 °C °F February 1st – 33.8 °C °F 2nd – 28.5 °C °F 3rd – 30.2 °C °F 4th – 30.2 °C °F 5th – 29.2 °C °F 6th – 33.1 °C °F 7th – 46.4 °C °F – Hottest day recorded in Melbourne Melbourne's hottest ever day Fairfax Media 3AW http://www.3aw.com.au/melbournes-hottest-ever-day/20090207-80cs.html 8 February 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090210175909/http://www.3aw.com.au/melbournes-hottest-ever-day/20090207-80cs.html 10 February 2009 dead dmy-all 0.8 °C hotter than previous record (Friday, 13 January 1939). Adelaide, South Australia January 2009 26th – 36.6 °C °FAdelaide, South Australia January 2009 Daily Weather Observations Bureau of Meteorology http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/dwo/200901/html/IDCJDW5002.200901.shtml 4 February 2009 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20090306115043/http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/dwo/200901/html/IDCJDW5002.200901.shtml 6 March 2009 27th – 43.2 °C °F 28th – 45.7 °C °F 29th – 43.4 °C °F 30th – 43.1 °C °F 31st – 41.1 °C °F February 1st – 40.6 °C °F 2nd – 38.8 °C °F 3rd – 36.3 °C °F 4th – 33.0 °C °F 5th – 35.6 °C °F 6th – 43.9 °C °F 7th – 41.5 °C °F A record-high minimum temperature was recorded at around midnight on 29 January, when the temperature dropped to only 33.9 °C °F at the Bureau of Meteorology weather station in Kent Town, near the Adelaide city centre. Temperatures recorded in other parts of the city and other towns throughout South Australia were even higher. Adelaide swelters through hottest night ABC News http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/01/29/2476856.htm https://web.archive.org/web/20090131065445/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/01/29/2476856.htm dead 31 January 2009 1 February 2009 Woomera, South Australia January 2009 25th – 37.9 °C °F 26th – 39.9 °C °F 27th – 43.8 °C °F 28th – 44.6 °C °F 29th – 42.3 °C °F 30th – 42.4 °C °F 31st – 41.9 °C °F February 1st – 41.7 °C °F 2nd – 43.5 °C °F 3rd – 43.7 °C °F 4th – 42.5 °C °F 5th – 42.8 °C °F 6th – 45.6 °C °F 7th – 46.2 °C °F Wagga Wagga, New South Wales thumb|right|220px|Graph of minimum and maximum temperatures recorded at the Wagga Wagga Airport. January 2009 26th – 37.7 °C °FWagga Wagga, New South Wales January 2009 Daily Weather Observations Bureau of Meteorology http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/dwo/200901/html/IDCJDW2139.200901.shtml 1 February 2009 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20090205153225/http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/dwo/200901/html/IDCJDW2139.200901.shtml 5 February 2009 27th – 37.9 °C °F 28th – 39.2 °C °F 29th – 40.7 °C °F 30th – 41.2 °C °F 31st – 41.6 °C °F February 1st – 41.6 °C °F 2nd – 39.0 °C °F 3rd – 39.4 °C °F 4th – 38.1 °C °F 5th – 41.7 °C °F 6th – 42.8 °C °F 7th – 45.2 °C °F – Hottest day recorded in Wagga Wagga since records began in 1941. Summary statistics Wagga Wagga Airport Bureau of Meteorology http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_072150_All.shtml 8 February 2009 8th – 42.7 °C °F On 31 January 2009, Wagga Wagga broke the all-time January record for the most days above 40.0 °C °F with six days recorded (the record previously being five days, which was set in 1952 and equalled in 1979 and 2001). The January record set in 1979 was equalled for number of days above 35.0 °C °F or more which is 19 days.Grimson Ken Red Hot Fairfax Media http://www.dailyadvertiser.com.au/news/local/news/general/red-hot/1422103.aspx The Daily Advertiser 2 February 2009 2 February 2009 Wagga Wagga broke the all-time record and the February record for the highest recorded maximum on 7 February 2009, 2:50pm AEDT the city recorded 45.2 °C °F with the previous February record being 44.6 °C °F set on 1 February 1968 and the all time previously being 44.8 °C °F set on 23 January 2001.https://www.bom.gov.au/climate/current/month/nsw/archive/200902.summary.shtml New South Wales in February 2009 Bureau of Meteorology 9 August 2026Higgins Ben Temperatures set to drop next week Fairfax Media http://www.dailyadvertiser.com.au/news/local/news/general/temperatures-set-to-drop-next-week/1428385.aspx The Daily Advertiser 9 February 2009 9 February 2009 On 8 February 2009, the record for consecutive days over 37.8 °C °F was broken with thirteen consecutive days recorded (the previous record being six days, which was set in 1946 and equalled in 1979, 1980 and 2004). Wagga Wagga also recorded fourteen consecutive days of over 35.0 °C °F.Grimson Ken Another hot record is set Fairfax Media http://www.dailyadvertiser.com.au/news/local/news/general/another-hot-record-is-set/1423176.aspx The Daily Advertiser 3 February 2009 3 February 2009Grimson Ken Plants wither in hot weather Fairfax Media http://www.dailyadvertiser.com.au/news/local/news/general/plants-wither-in-hot-weather/1425684.aspx The Daily Advertiser 5 February 2009 5 February 2009https://www.bom.gov.au/jsp/ncc/cdio/weatherData/av?p_display_type=dailyDataFile&p_nccObsCode=122&p_stn_num=072150&p_c=-1041205811&p_startYear=2009 Daily Maximum Temperature – 072150 – Wagga Wagga AMO: 2009 Bureau of Meteorology 9 August 2026 Albury–Wodonga, NSW/VIC January 2009 26th – 38.4 °C °Fhttps://www.bom.gov.au/jsp/ncc/cdio/weatherData/av?p_display_type=dailyDataFile&p_nccObsCode=122&p_stn_num=072160&p_c=-1041494431&p_startYear=2009 Daily Maximum Temperature – 072160 – Albury Airport AWS: 2009 Bureau of Meteorology 9 August 2026 27th – 38.2 °C °F 28th – 40.7 °C °F 29th – 41.5 °C °F 30th – 42.9 °C °F 31st – 42.7 °C °F February 1st – 43.1 °C °F 2nd – 38.3 °C °F 3rd – 37.7 °C °F 4th – 36.9 °C °F 5th – 41.2 °C °F 6th – 42.2 °C °F 7th – 44.8 °C °F – Hottest day recorded in Albury–Wodonga since records began in 1973. Summary statistics Albury Airport Bureau of Meteorology http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_072146_All.shtml 8 February 2009 8th – 40.2 °C °F Ballarat, Victoria January 2009 28th – 40.0 °C °F 29th – 41.4 °C °F 30th – 41.1 °C °F February 7th – 44.1 °C °F (record-high, 2.1 °C higher than previous record) Canberra, ACT January 2009 28th – 34.8 °C °FCanberra January 2009 Daily Weather Observations Bureau of Meteorology http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/dwo/200901/html/IDCJDW2801.200901.shtml 1 February 2009 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20090226192642/http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/dwo/200901/html/IDCJDW2801.200901.shtml 26 February 2009 29th – 37.0 °C °F 30th – 37.2 °C °F 31st – 38.2 °C °F February 1st – 31.9 °C °F 2nd – 34.7 °C °F 3rd – 31.0 °C °F 4th – 33.8 °C °F 5th – 37.4 °C °F 6th – 39.6 °C °F 7th – 40.0 °C °F 8th – 40.0 °C °F Launceston, Tasmania January 2009 28th – 33.8 °C °FLaunceston, Tasmania January 2009 Daily Weather Observations Bureau of Meteorology http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/dwo/200901/html/IDCJDW7025.200901.shtml 4 February 2009 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20090205153252/http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/dwo/200901/html/IDCJDW7025.200901.shtml 5 February 2009 29th – 36.9 °C °F 30th – 39.0 °C °F – Hottest day recorded in Launceston since records began in 1980. Tasmania in January 2009 Bureau of Meteorology http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/current/month/tas/summary.shtml 9 February 2009 31st – 38.2 °C °F Accompanying bushfires 2008–09 Australian bushfire season Black Saturday bushfires After a slow start to the 2008–09 Australian bushfire season, the high temperatures and wind precipitated several bushfires across Victoria and South Australia. The conditions were very similar to the heat wave experienced in early January 1939, which killed 438 people and precipitated the Black Friday bushfires of 1939. Fires were also started in the Australian Alps by lightning strikes from dry thunderstorms in north-east Victoria and south-east New South Wales. Authorities keep eye on north-east fires Australian Broadcasting Corporation ABC Goulburn Murray 4 February 2009 http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/04/2481838.htm?site=goulburnmurray https://web.archive.org/web/20090205105540/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/04/2481838.htm?site=goulburnmurray dead 5 February 2009 4 February 2009 Bibby Paul Storm clouds bring threat of dry lightning – and fire Fairfax Media The Sydney Morning Herald 4 February 2009 http://www.smh.com.au/news/environment/storm-clouds-bring-threat-of-dry-lightning--and-fire/2009/02/03/1233423223152.html 4 February 2009 14 killed by bushfires in Australia The tail end of the heat wave also precipitated the Black Saturday bushfires, in which 173 people died, 414 injured and 2,029 houses destroyed at various locations across the state. Several locations around the state recorded their highest temperatures since records began in 1859 and winds gusted up to 110 km/h.Bushfires in Victoria kill 14 more deaths feared News Limited Herald Sun 7 February 2009 http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,25018722-661,00.html 7 February 2009 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20090208121926/http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,25018722-661,00.html 8 February 2009 Comparison to normal climate for the area Many areas in central South Australia, northern Victoria and inland New South Wales regularly experience temperatures over 40 C FGeography of South Australia https://mapofaustralia.com/south-australia/geography/ 2024-04-22 Map of Australia en-US for one, two or three consecutive days, sometimes more, during the summer months. During the heat wave, however, many of these regions experienced temperatures over 40 C F for twice as long or more, on average, than is normal for that time of year. Coastal regions and the ACT experienced slightly lower temperatures; however, these were still above average and lasted for a prolonged period.November 2024 While coastal regions may have experienced shorter periods of heat wave, for the time that they did experience temperatures over 35 C F, they mostly reached the top 3, top 5 or top 10 all-time temperature records for a number of days.November 2024 The heat wave was perhaps most extreme in northern and eastern Tasmania, where 7 of the 8 highest temperatures recorded in Tasmania up to that time occurred during the heat wave.November 2024 A chart of the variation of maximum and minimum daily temperatures, through the year, for MelbourneAndrew Watkins http://www.earthsci.unimelb.edu.au/~awatkins/melbmeantemp.html Melbourne Mean Temperature Graph National Climate Centre, Australian Bureau of Meteorology 11 February 2009 11 February 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090121054211/http://www.earthsci.unimelb.edu.au/~awatkins/melbmeantemp.html 21 January 2009 dead dmy-all was prepared from observations between May 1855 and August 2006. For early February, this shows a mean daily maximum temperature of 26 C F with the 75th-percentile temperature being about 31 C F. Effects Energy Localised power outages occurred throughout both cities during the week at varying times for various lengths. It is estimated that over 500,000 residents in Melbourne were without power for the evening of 30 January 2009. Melbourne blackout causes chaos Australian Broadcasting Corporation ABC News 30 January 2009 http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/01/30/2478898.htm https://web.archive.org/web/20090131195318/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/01/30/2478898.htm dead 31 January 2009 1 February 2009 The outage affected much of central Melbourne with train and tram services cancelled, the evacuation of Crown Casino, traffic light failures, people being rescued from lifts and patrons of the Victorian Arts Centre evacuated and shows cancelled.November 2024 The outage occurred only an hour after the National Electricity Market Management Company (NEMMCO) issued a statement saying load shedding was ending and power had been restored.November 2024 Blackouts also occurred in the city's west, caused by the three-day heat wave. It is believed an explosion at South Morang contributed to the power problems along three transmission lines supplying Victoria's west and Victorian power supplier SP AusNet shed 1,000 megawatts. On the 30th, Energy Minister Peter Batchelor announced consumers who lose power for more than 20 hours would be eligible for compensation.https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/statement-from-the-premiers-department-on-the-victorian-blackout/news-story/f347c320445723a5f0c578d9538d5867 Statement from the Premier's Department on the Victorian blackout Herald Sun News Limited 30 January 2009 31 January 2009Ashley Gardiner http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,24986957-2862,00.html Victorian blackout causes commuter chaos Herald Sun News Limited 31 January 2009 31 January 2009 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20090131090934/http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,24986957-2862,00.html 31 January 2009 Victoria Simos http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,24986959-2862,00.html https://web.archive.org/web/20090202113906/http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,24986959-2862,00.html dead 2 February 2009 Crown casino evacuated as power goes out across Victoria Herald Sun 31 January 2009 31 January 2009Alice Coster http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,24986916-2862,00.html https://web.archive.org/web/20090202081842/http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,24986916-2862,00.html dead 2 February 2009 People forced to walk streets in Victorian blackout Herald Sun News Limited 31 January 2009 31 January 2009http://www.theage.com.au/national/thousands-still-without-power-20090131-7u9b.html Thousands still without power The Age Fairfax Media 31 January 2009 31 January 2009 MelbourneLucas Clay http://www.theage.com.au/national/train-system-completely-off-the-rails-20090130-7u1a.html Train system completely off the rails The Age Fairfax Media 27 January 2009 31 January 2009 Melbourne dead https://web.archive.org/web/20090201034248/http://www.theage.com.au/national/train-system-completely-off-the-rails-20090130-7u1a.html 1 February 2009 dmy-all Areas that did not experience blackouts still had problems with abnormally low voltage (probably due to increased air-conditioner usage).November 2024 As of 1 February, the heat wave is estimated to have cost the Victorian economy $100m during the week. Houston Cameron Reilly, Tom http://www.theage.com.au/national/heat-leaves-100m-black-hole-20090131-7ugc.html Heat leaves $100m black hole The Age Fairfax Media 1 February 2009 1 February 2009 Melbourne Transport Over the course of the week, thousands of train and tram services were cancelled in both cities, with more than 1,300 individual train services cancelled in metropolitan Melbourne alone. The cancellations were due to buckling rail lines, air conditioner failures and power outages. On the 30th, all public transport in the city was free as the government admitted responsibility for failing to provide adequate infrastructure elements to cope with the heat, as well as long-standing issues with underfunding. Lucas Clay http://www.theage.com.au/national/not-enough-spent-says-kosky-20090127-7qzq.html?page=-1 Not enough spent, says Kosky The Age Fairfax Media 28 January 2009 1 February 2009 Melbourne On the 30th, 730 (40%) of rail services were cancelled, the worst day of operation since Connex took control in 2004. 2009 Australian Open Several outdoor matches during the 2009 Australian Open on the 29th and the 30th were cancelled due to the heat. A number of players, including number 3 seed Novak Djokovic, cited the temperature as reason for withdrawing from matches. Record-breaking heat scorches southern Australia The Associated Press International Herald Tribune 30 January 2009 http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2009/01/30/asia/AS-Australia-Heat-Wave.php 1 February 2009 Serena Williams was quoted as saying it was so hot on court she felt like she was having an "out-of-body experience".https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gBBuhzlpcQD55RsYlYlrp3BVAOEQ https://web.archive.org/web/20090204015630/http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gBBuhzlpcQD55RsYlYlrp3BVAOEQ dead 4 February 2009 Homes razed, chaos in record Australian heatwave AFP 30 January 2009 31 January 2009 After these retirements and an intensification in the heat, the organisers responded by closing the roof and allowing players longer breaks and icepacks.November 2024 Human health There is dispute between sources as to how many people were affected by the heat wave. Hundreds were treated for heat-related illness and 6 fatalities were confirmed, and a number of "sudden deaths" were suspected to be caused by the heat. Authorities worked through each case to determine exactly how many fatalities were directly attributable to the heat wave. Fewster Sean Coroner waiting for autopsies on heat wave deaths News Limited AdelaideNow 3 February 2009 http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,25001958-2682,00.html 7 February 2009October 2026 medicmedic Commercial news sources vary widely at the number of fatalities, some report only 2 deaths, while others speculate that the toll may ultimately be higher. Fifty-seven deaths were suspected to have occurred in South Australia and 33 in Victoria, however authorities preferred to wait for coronial reports before confirming how many were directly attributable to the heat wave.Brad Crouch Kate Kyriacou Michael Owen http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,24984187-5006301,00.html Sudden deaths rise across Adelaide amid 40C-plus heatwave AdelaideNow News Limited 31 January 2009 31 January 2009 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20090131085413/http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,24984187-5006301,00.html 31 January 2009 The Victorian state coroner announced a tripling of dead bodies being placed in the state mortuary during the heat wave, filling the morgue to capacity. Hospitals and funeral homes were relied upon to provide temporary storage of corpses, even before the deaths associated with the Black Saturday bushfires created additional demand for mortuary space.Erdem Koch http://www.theage.com.au/national/heatwave-puts-morgue-under-pressure-20090206-7zo9.html Heatwave puts morgue under pressure The Age Fairfax Digital 6 February 2009 10 February 2009 Melbourne Throughout the heat wave, thousands of people, many of them elderly, were confirmed to have been treated by ambulance officers and placed in hospitals for heat-related illnesses in Victoria and South Australia. Ambulance Victoria reported a 70% increase in emergency calls during the week. It is estimated that around 2,000 people across Victoria and South Australia were treated for heat stroke and other effects of the heat wave.November 2024 According to a Monash University study of funeral notices, more than 200 people died as a result of the heat wave. A 45% increase in the death rate was noted during the time.http://www.theage.com.au/national/heatwave-left-hundreds-dead-20090221-8ea4.html Heatwave left hundreds dead The Age 22 February 2009 18 November 2009 Melbourne Melissa Fyfe 15 December 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20091215015920/http://www.theage.com.au/national/heatwave-left-hundreds-dead-20090221-8ea4.html dead A subsequent report by Victoria's chief health officer, Dr John Carnie, put the final figure at 374. Fauna and flora Baby birds, possums and bats were among the wildlife not coping in the extreme heat. The RSPCA received five times the usual number of admissions to its shelters in Melbourne, with 50 possums admitted to the Burwood East shelter alone. There were many reports of koalas wandering into urban yards and houses to drink water offered by residents. This behaviour is highly unusual as the animals do not normally drink water and are naturally shy of people. http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/gallery/0,22613,5037290-5014156,00.html https://web.archive.org/web/20090205164157/http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/gallery/0,22613,5037290-5014156,00.html dead 5 February 2009 How much heat can a koala bear? AdelaideNow News Limited 10 February 2009 10 February 2009 In Melbourne, a city where most trees are non-native, notably the plane trees that line many inner and middle suburban streets, deciduous trees began shedding their leaves by early February, creating the appearance of an early autumn.http://www.smh.com.au/national/city-heatwave-sends-seasons-into-a-spin-20090204-7xxg.html City heatwave sends seasons into a spin Strong Geoff The Sydney Morning Herald 1 December 2016 Water restrictions meant many trees and plants were already stressed, and some street trees and trees in parks where councils had not arranged special watering, died, or suffered die back, as did trees and plants in private gardens. See also Extreme weather events in Melbourne 2008–09 Australian bushfire season Black Saturday bushfires Other notable Australian heat waves: Black Friday bushfires – 438 deaths 1895–96, southeastern states – 437 deaths 1907–08, southeastern states – 246 deaths 2024 Australia heat wave References 30em External links Heatwaves – Get The Facts, Emergency Management Australia NASA – MODIS Exceptional Australian Heat Wave The exceptional January–February 2009 heatwave in south-eastern Australia, BOM The Age newspaper article, 26 February 2009, Anatomy of a Firestorm, by William Kininmonth, on the conditions and air movements of 7 February 2009. autocollapse Southeastern Australia heat wave Category:2000s heat waves Category:Meteorological events in 2009 Category:2009 natural disasters Category:Heat waves in Australia