38
average of 4.7 and 0.3 incidences per year with two consecutive days of these temperatures,
respectively. The maximum number of consecutive days of 35°C and 40°C or more over this period was
seven and five, respectively. Days with average temperatures above 32°C are about as common as days
with maxima over 40°C. There was only one event between 1980 and 1999 with three consecutive days
over 32°C.
Figure 4.15: Incidence of heatwaves for the Study Area 1980-1999 climate change reference period and 2030
and 2070 climate change scenarios. a) Consecutive days with maximum temperature of 35°C or
more; b) Consecutive days of 40°C or more; c) Consecutive days with average daily
temperature of 32°C or more.
Source: Derived from Bureau of Meteorology data.
0.01
0.1
1
10
100
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
ave # occurences/y
Heatwave duration (d)
a) Sequences of days ≥ 35 deg
1980-1999
2030 high 50% 2070 low 50%
2070 high 50% 2000-2012
0.01
0.1
1
10
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
ave # occurences/y
Heatwave duration (d)
b) Sequences of days ≥ 40 deg
1980-1999
2030 high 50% 2070 low 50%
2070 high 50% 2000-2012
0.01
0.1
1
10
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
ave # occurences/y
Heatwave duration (d)
c) Sequences of days Tav ≥ 32 deg
1980-1999
2030 high 50% 2070 low 50%
2070 high 50% 2000-2012
