SA swelters through day one of heatwave
Adelaide has sweltered through day one of its heatwave with workers sent home early, trains re-scheduled and sporting events postponed as temperatures hit 42C.
Workers at the new Royal Adelaide Hospital site were sent home this morning as the temperature climbed past 37 degrees, while it wasn’t long before the heat forced changes on the city’s train network.
Adelaide Metro has cut the frequency of its trains for the rest of the week to keep services running, and is also handing out bottled water to commuters.
Fire crews were deployed to a stubble fire near Stansbury, on Yorke Peninsula, which they quickly brought under control.
The CFS said it is a taste of things to come.
“The state is not expecting to have high winds, we’re not expecting massive lightning strikes across the state, but neither were Perth,” Brenton Eden from the CFS said.
The hot weather did put an end to the National Junior Volleyball Championships at Glenelg, but it did not stop the pilgrimage of bathers heading to the beach to cool off.
Much of the state is facing a severe heatwave for the rest of the week, which has emergency services on alert.
In Adelaide the temperature reached 42.1C at 3.39pm (CDST), two degrees above the forecast.
Among the hottest spots in SA on Monday were Port Augusta with 45C, while Tarcoola, in the far north, and Wudinna, on Eyre Peninsula, reached 44.2C.
Roxby Downs topped 44C.
Police have asked the public to be vigilant to the dangers of bushfires, while known arsonists have been warned Operation Nomad patrols will be out in force.
Adelaide is facing temperatures above 40C until Friday, with total fire bans issued in many districts.
The State Emergency Service (SES) has issued extreme heat warnings until Thursday, and is urging people to drink plenty of fluids and keep in regular contact with elderly relatives, friends and neighbours.
It suggests people keep their homes cools by closing blinds and curtains.
Premier Jay Weatherill says people who do not have home air conditioning should consider heading to cooler public facilities such as cinemas, shopping centres and libraries.
The air-conditioned Adelaide Central Bus Station will be open for 24 hours to provide respite to those who may need it after hours.
This will continue until the extreme heat warning is rescinded.
The RSPCA has warned just six minutes in a hot car can kill a dog.
"There is no reason to leave pets in vehicles in high temperatures or at any time," said RSPCA South Australia executive manager of animal operations Kerriann Campbell.
