My last post complained about the heatwave we're experiencing, but I expected it would be over by now. The maximum temperatures for Armidale, both recorded and forecast, over the first 12 days of February are, according to the data I have at my disposal, the following:
32-33-34-33-32-33-33-26-28-33-36-37 in degrees C or
90-91-93-91-90-91-79-82-91-97-99 degrees F
And today's predicted temperatures here are warmer than Cairns (17 degrees S) or Darwin (12.5 S).
So the average maxima for the first 12 days of February here will likely be 32.5 C or 90.5 F. That's an amazing 7 degrees C above the long term average, and we're struggling to sleep at night when the minima are about 20 C (68 F) rather than 12 C. This afternoon, the temperature of our lounge reached 35 C (95 F) - now 36 C!
Fortunately, the humidity dropped today - just leaving just the heat behind. In a way, the effect was stunning because of huge light intensity coupled with crystal clear air. But for the last 5 days huge thunder clouds appeared around Armidale and some places nearby received torrential rain. Indeed, one storm went right over the top of us at about 3 am. I awoke to the crash of thunder and a torrential downpour that deposited 32.5 mm (1.3 inches) of rain in a couple of hours.
So for the moment we have runaway grass growth in parts of the garden. The best time to mow is probably about 6.30 am, but I suspect that our neighbours might object! Anyway, that's when I go riding my bike. When we had the high humidity for the last few days I returned home from the ride wringing wet, so this morning I just wore a pair of shorts for the trip, much to the surprise of passing motorists! But thus attired I rode even faster than usual, completing the 15 km (9.3 miles) in the near record time of 43 minutes (or 21 km / 13 miles per hour)! Not bad, eh, for someone approaching 72!
The humidity respite will be short-lived, however, as showers are forecast tomorrow.
AS
32-33-34-33-32-33-33-26-28-33-36-37 in degrees C or
90-91-93-91-90-91-79-82-91-97-99 degrees F
And today's predicted temperatures here are warmer than Cairns (17 degrees S) or Darwin (12.5 S).
So the average maxima for the first 12 days of February here will likely be 32.5 C or 90.5 F. That's an amazing 7 degrees C above the long term average, and we're struggling to sleep at night when the minima are about 20 C (68 F) rather than 12 C. This afternoon, the temperature of our lounge reached 35 C (95 F) - now 36 C!
Fortunately, the humidity dropped today - just leaving just the heat behind. In a way, the effect was stunning because of huge light intensity coupled with crystal clear air. But for the last 5 days huge thunder clouds appeared around Armidale and some places nearby received torrential rain. Indeed, one storm went right over the top of us at about 3 am. I awoke to the crash of thunder and a torrential downpour that deposited 32.5 mm (1.3 inches) of rain in a couple of hours.
So for the moment we have runaway grass growth in parts of the garden. The best time to mow is probably about 6.30 am, but I suspect that our neighbours might object! Anyway, that's when I go riding my bike. When we had the high humidity for the last few days I returned home from the ride wringing wet, so this morning I just wore a pair of shorts for the trip, much to the surprise of passing motorists! But thus attired I rode even faster than usual, completing the 15 km (9.3 miles) in the near record time of 43 minutes (or 21 km / 13 miles per hour)! Not bad, eh, for someone approaching 72!
The humidity respite will be short-lived, however, as showers are forecast tomorrow.
AS
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