014 has been confirmed as Australia’s third-hottest year, capping off a record-breaking decade, according to the Bureau of Meteorology’s annual climate statement, released today.
Seven of Australia’s ten hottest years have occurred in the past 13 years. During that period, only 2011 was cooler than the 1961-1990 average. Experts said this long-term trend and temperature extremes are a clear signal that climate change is happening in Australia now.
“If we want to look at the impact of climate change, what we’re really seeing is the climate of Australia has continued to warm,” said Karl Braganza, manager of Climate Modelling at the Bureau of Meteorology.
In the ten years to 2014, temperatures have been running 0.55C above the long-term average. The previous ten-year record was held by 2004-2013 at 0.5C above average.