Ask Dr Bec: How high can the temperature go?

The temperature in Narrabri has been 41 degrees recently. How high can the temperature go? asks 7-year-old Ruben Guest.

Great question, Ruben, and quite timely given how hot our Narrabri summer has been!

Let’s break this down in terms of our environment and the air itself. In certain special situations, such as during lightning or large explosions, air can become incredibly hot, far surpassing the temperatures we experience on an average Narrabri summer day – we’re talking over 10,000°C kind of hot!

However, in regard to the air that surrounds us in our everyday environment, it thankfully never reaches such extreme temperatures.

This is because the air around us is controlled by how it interacts with our atmosphere, land, water, and the cooling effects of trees.

One notable location in California, aptly named Furnace Creek, holds the record for the highest reliably recorded air temperature on Earth.

On July 10, 1913, the thermometer there soared to a scorching 56.7°C.

But there are other contenders vying for the title of hottest spot, like the Lut and Dasht-e Kavir deserts in Iran and the Sahara Desert in Africa, which are no strangers to blistering temperatures either.

The highest temperature ever recorded in Australia was 50.7°C, reached on January 2, 1960, in Oodnadatta, South Australia and again on January 13, 2022 in Onslow, Western Australia.

The hottest day ever recorded in Narrabri was on January 3 2014, where it got up to 47.8°C.

While temperatures exceeding 50°C are rare, climate scientists predict that Australia is likely to experience more of these extremely hot days in the future.

Just imagine the implications for our daily lives.

Working outdoors, playing sports, or even taking a leisurely stroll around the lake could become significantly more unpleasant.

Increased reliance on air conditioning could lead to higher energy bills and strain power grids.

However, there are steps we can take to mitigate these effects and keep our town – and the planet – cool.

Our carbon footprint represents the amount of carbon dioxide we emit into the atmosphere through our use of fossil fuels.

The larger our carbon footprint, the more we contribute to climate change and the likelihood of hotter weather.

We can reduce energy consumption, and lower our carbon footprint, by turning off lights and appliances when not in use and by transitioning to renewable energy sources like solar power.

Planting more trees will also help to keep the air around us cool.

By taking action now, we can help slow down climate change and hopefully prevent even hotter temperatures in the future.

So, while it may seem like we’re sweltering today, there’s hope for a cooler tomorrow if we all work together to make a difference.

Narrabri-based scientist Dr Bec Thistlethwaite will contribute a fortnightly column to The Courier on the science in our daily lives. Readers are invited to send their science questions in to Dr Bec via [email protected]