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Summergeddon rolls on
Western Australia has broken a 50 year temperature record and if it goes over 40^C today, we'll break an 83-year-old record. Weather people get very excited about this. I'm just glad I don't have to go to work today (i.e. leave the house, get dressed, that sort of thing). Work is airconditioned, so is the train, but somehow the time spent walking in the heat between these points expands in a way I'm sure is not allowed by the laws of physics.
The record is three days over 40^C; this is day four. I start wondering if I was more correct in my Nightsider stories than I thought, where I went for the worst-case plausible scenario. I remember being really happy when I discovered that the temperature difference required for the Swan River (that flows through Perth) to become a comfortable saltwater crocodile habitat was 2^C :-) What I don't believe is that my scenario of abandoning the city would happen, not really. I think we are too stubborn and decision-makers too incapable of making real decisions, for that. Still, it was scary to read once in a conservation paper - and I'm sorry, I remember no details so it's hearsay - that Perth was the closest candidate to be abandoned, due to its isolation from the rest of the country's infrastructure. If they had to, they would cut us off.
I also remember once reading that Mexico City was on the verge of becoming uninhabitable and that must be 20 years ago and it is still there, pumping out its pollution and adding to its millions.
I am feeling really envious of North America with all that snow right now and wish, as I always do this time of year, that we could organise a temporary exchange.
Did I mention it's hot?
UPDATE: AS OF 11.30 AM BY THE PERTH AIRPORT GAUGE, THAT 1933 RECORD IS MELTING ON THE BITUMEN
The record is three days over 40^C; this is day four. I start wondering if I was more correct in my Nightsider stories than I thought, where I went for the worst-case plausible scenario. I remember being really happy when I discovered that the temperature difference required for the Swan River (that flows through Perth) to become a comfortable saltwater crocodile habitat was 2^C :-) What I don't believe is that my scenario of abandoning the city would happen, not really. I think we are too stubborn and decision-makers too incapable of making real decisions, for that. Still, it was scary to read once in a conservation paper - and I'm sorry, I remember no details so it's hearsay - that Perth was the closest candidate to be abandoned, due to its isolation from the rest of the country's infrastructure. If they had to, they would cut us off.
I also remember once reading that Mexico City was on the verge of becoming uninhabitable and that must be 20 years ago and it is still there, pumping out its pollution and adding to its millions.
I am feeling really envious of North America with all that snow right now and wish, as I always do this time of year, that we could organise a temporary exchange.
Did I mention it's hot?
UPDATE: AS OF 11.30 AM BY THE PERTH AIRPORT GAUGE, THAT 1933 RECORD IS MELTING ON THE BITUMEN
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Really, though. I'm so sorry. I hope you guys get some relief soon. It's enough to send you crazy.
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Just checked the temps and it's 19C here vs 31 there. That's unusual; most of the time it's only about a five degree difference. You guys have done particularly badly out of this heatwave while we're just luckier this time round. Last year we got a few much warmer days, even warmer than Perth!
You poor thing. Take lots of water and take it easy. Icy poles are good too :) If you've got any cordial, freeze some now and then you can have it waiting for you when you get home.
Nightsiders comes to my mind whenever I think of Perth in summer, too. At least we still have reliable power these days. Imagine surviving it without fridges or aircon.