Yesterday, the 9th of January saw an historic day in terms of weather in Australia. The average temperature across the whole continent was 40.5 degrees Celsius (that’s 104.9 degrees Fahrenheit for my non-metric friends). This has never happened before and hopefully won’t again for a long time because it was an insufferable day.
In Wollongong, just south of Sydney, where I live, the day started out quite mildly. A cloud cover kept the temperature down to the mi-30’s and it started to look like the predictions might be wrong. However, at about lunch time, the cloud cover burnt off and, as soon as the sun was unrestricted by it, the temperature soared. By 1300 it was well over 40 degrees and it stayed that way until well after sunset. The above photo was taken in my car at 1800 and the temp gauge is pretty accurate. At 2300 last night the temperature was still 37 degrees and the cool change from the south that had been predicted for lat last night didn’t arrive until the early hours of the morning. Thank goodness for air conditioning (although the one in the car isn’t working at the moment)
Bushfires are raging all over the eastern seaboard at the moment and fire fighters are struggling to cope. Bushfires are a normal feature of summer in Australia but they have been far wrse in the last 10 years or so as successive governments kow-tow to the green lobby and curtail hazard-reduction burning. I am hopeful that soon, one citizen who has lost their home in a bushfire will institute a class action against the Greens and their loony followers and expose them for the criminals they are.
In motorcycling, all is quiet. Not many bikes on the road either as the hot weather bites. However, help is at hand. In just 16 days the 20th annual AMCN Island Classic will be on at Phillip Island. Jim Race, from Motopod, is presently organising press credentials for me so that I can cover the event for his internet radio programme and I have my transport and accommodation sorted.
AND I also will be taking the Shadowfax down to display in the pits over the weekend. I can’t wait to see what sort of a reaction that it gets. My good friend and benefactor, Ed Haazer, will be back along with Jimi Mac and a whole team of USA-based riders forming an American team to add to the Aussie, British and Rest of the World line-up. Legendary World Champion, Giacomo Agostini, will be the Guest of Honour and I can’t wait to get on the road south for a long weekend of 2 wheeled craziness.
It’s cooler today, 23 degrees, much more pleasant. Have a great one wherever you happen to be.
sanoptic says
New website, layout looks good Phil !!
My friends in England can’t believe how we survive the heat ,they seen the bushfires on their news service & are quite shocked.
I went up to the shops on Tuesday & it was like riding in a blast furnace .
Forecast for Friday & Saturday is 40+ again!!!
Keep cool Phil….
Phil Hall says
Yeah, the heat is something you get used to I guess. Although Tuesday was exceptional. Thanks for the feedback, Joe. I like the new layout, too. If you spot any glitches or stuff, please let me know. Keep cool, too, mate.