The Queensland town that endured a heatwave for 26 days straight
<p>In outback Queensland, there’s a town of 230 people where the mercury has been sitting near or above 40°C for almost a month. For the past 26 days, residents of Boulia (“The Friendly Town”) have endured a “severe heatwave” that is relentless and unbearable.</p><p>According to locals, the summer temperatures usually fluctuate, giving them a break, but this year is different. Ann Britton, who runs Goodwood Station with her husband Rick, told News.com.au that, “the heat just seems to be really claustrophobic, a really burning heat which just saps everything out of you.”</p><p>The average maximum temperature for February was 40.5°C. That’s the average temperature for the whole month. For those of us in the southern states, we might expect a day or two like that each summer, but an entire month would be ridiculous.</p><p>What makes matters worse is that the dry season is approaching, and the residents of Boulia are still awaiting their “general wet” to get them through. The Brittons have begun to sell of their cattle, with only patches of their property receiving isolated rain. “It’s not panic stations yet. But it could be.” </p><p><strong>Related links: </strong></p><p><em><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="/news/news/2015/03/sydney-storm-photos/" target="_blank">These are our favourite photos from Sydney’s massive storm on the weekend</a></span></strong></em></p><p><em><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="/news/news/2015/03/sydney-storm-photos/" target="_blank">This koala thinks it can drive a car</a></span> </strong></em></p><p><em><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="/news/news/2015/03/sydney-storm-photos/" target="_blank">Seeing Uluru from space will change your perspective of it</a></span></strong></em></p>
