Heatwaves

In March 2008 South Australia experienced a heatwave of record breaking length and temperatures. The heatwave spanned 15 consecutive days of temperatures above 35 degrees Celsius and broke the record for the longest recorded heatwave in a national capital city. This record had been previously held by a heatwave in Perth in February 1988. The 2008 heatwave also surpassed Adelaide's record for the longest heatwave in March on record and the highest overnight minimum temperature in Adelaide for March with 30.2°C reached at 6:35 am on 14 March. In country South Australia records were also broken; for example Ceduna recorded its longest heatwave with 12 consecutive days of temperatures above 35°C and Kyancutta experienced 13 days over 40°C.

Adelaide's previous record heatwaves were in the 1930s - in 1939 the previous longest heatwave at any time of the year was recorded and 1934 saw the previous longest heatwave in March. Accounts of the heatwaves of 1934 and 1939 can be found in the diaries of Frederick Coneybeer (PRG 22) and William Stagg (PRG 311).