Geraldton keeps sweltering through 40C plus days, with no relief in sight, according to Bureau of Meteorology

As Geraldton swelters through record-breaking temperatures and endless hot summer days and nights, the Bureau of Meteorology warns the worst is yet to come. After a record-equalling maximum temperature of 49.3C roasted Geraldton last Monday, the city has been hit by a heatwave of consecutive 40C days, with BoM senior climatologist Zhi-Weng Chua warning February would be even hotter. A “low to extreme intensity heatwave” this week has seen the mercury surge past 44C on Tuesday, and 43C on Wednesday, with the forecast set to be 39C and 40C for the remainder of the working week. It is not only the scorching daytime heat locals have to contend with, but stifling hot and humid nights — and they are set to also continue into next month. “Hot temperatures are forecast to continue for the rest of January. February maximum and minimum temperatures are very likely to be above average. There is a 70 per cent chance that February minimum temperatures will be unusually warm — in the warmest 20 per cent of February minimum temperatures since 1981,” Mr Chua said. So far this summer, the average temperature recorded at Geraldton Airport has been 26.2C — an average maximum of 33.2C and an average minimum of 19.2C. Last summer, the minimum and maximum averages for December were 21.9C and 32.5C, 22.5C and 31.7C in January and 23.7C and 37.3C in February. Last February’s record-breaker day of 49.3C was equalled on January 19 this year. “Maximum temperatures are currently tracking above average in January and were above average in December 2024. Minimum temperatures are currently tracking very much above average in January,” Mr Chua said. “Maximum and minimum temperatures were very much higher this summer than last summer.” Mr Chua said warm winds from across the country and high-pressure systems were to blame for the oven-like temperatures. “From mid-January, a persistent west coast trough along the south-western coast of Australia allowed easterlies to persist for extended periods, bringing hot, continental winds over Western Australia,” he explained. “Additionally, high-pressure systems and ridges have been regularly directing hot, continental north-easterlies/easterlies across WA. “High-pressure systems generally limit cloud and convective development, which allows for increased heating effects, contributing to the heatwave conditions.” Despite warnings from health officials to stay out of the scorching sun, Geraldton residents are making the most of the hot weather, with families flocking to the beach and foreshore water playground. The WA Department of Health is urging people to, “Stay healthy, stay cool inside and stay safe outside. “Limit your time outdoors. If you are outside, wear light-coloured, loose-fitting clothes, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses. Apply sunscreen and try to stay in the shade.”