Adelaide: HeatWatch projects up to 49 days over 35°C per year by 2090
The Bureau of Meteorology issued a severe heatwave warning for Adelaide, ahead of a March week with three days over 35°C and one day over 40°C. Severe heatwaves can be dangerous for many people, especially older people, babies, children, pregnant and breastfeeding women, people with medical conditions and people who are unwell. This heatwave is contributing to an “extreme” fire danger rating for the neighbouring Mount Lofty Ranges region, and high fire danger across the majority of the state.
Adelaide has a historic baseline of 17 days over 35°C per year (based on 1995-2022 data). More recently, the electorate experienced over 25 days of 35°C+ heat in 2019.
According to CSIRO-BoM projections, under a high emissions scenario, Adelaide can expect up to 49 days per year over 35°C, and up to 18 annual days over 40°C, by 2090. Yet, if emissions are drastically limited, Adelaide could keep the number of days over 35°C to just 27 in 2090, similar to the historic baseline.