If you thought it was hot in Tamworth, spare a thought for those in Moree.
The locals are doing everything they can to keep cool this week after a record 38 days straight of temperatures over 35-degrees – more than double the previous record set in the summer of 1981/81.
And, there doesn’t look to be any let up either.
Another record could well be broken over the next week, as Moree buckles down for seven straight days of 40-degree temperatures – equal that of the record set in November, 2009.
Wednesday kicked off this latest 40-degree period with a top of 42, while Thursday is set to peak at a sweltering 44 degrees. Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday are each expected to reach 42 degrees. Tuesday is expected to be 43.
Bill Crawford, owner/manager of Crawford Roofing and Asbestos Removal said this summer has been pretty tough with temperatures about 55 degrees on top of a roof in this heat.
“We’ve been up on roofs every day … it gets pretty extreme,” he said.
“It’s the extended period of heat which knocks us up the most, it wears you down.”
While outside workers are sweltering, a number of local businesses are benefiting from the heat spell.
Yates Refrigeration and Air-conditioning has seen a huge surge in business.
“I’ve never seen so many installs,” co-owner Sheryline Yates said.
“We’ve been constantly inundated with people wanting air-conditioners installed. We’ve got installs almost every day.”
Mrs Yates said while business has always been busy around this time, this year has been particularly demanding.
“We’re just flat-out; there seems to be an influx all at once.”
Harvey Norman Moree has experienced one of its biggest seasons for air-conditioner sales, which franchisee Marc Pigdon said has been constant since December.
“Every day there’s been a constant flow of people in the store looking for air-conditioners,” he said.
“We’ve sold out two or three times and have had to get stock from out-of-state.”
Mr Pigdon said portable air-conditioners have been most popular as people look for immediate relief, while split systems have also been popular as a longer-term solution, and surprisingly, the “old window rattlers” have been selling well.
Fans have also been walking out the door of Harvey Norman Moree as people look for additional ways to cool their houses.
“We ordered 100 fans at the start of the season and they were gone by mid-December,” Mr Pigdon said.
“People will come in for something else and they’ll grab a few pedestal fans.”
In addition to fans and air-conditioners, more people have also been buying new refridgerators and even blenders.
“It certainly has been a great season,” Mr Pigdon said.
Pool the place to be
The Moree Artesian Aquatic Centre (MAAC) has proved a popular destination for locals to beat the heat.
On Australia Day alone about 700 people passed through the gates.
Employees Jim Bryans and Kerry Macey agreed numbers were up from last January, along with the sweltering temperatures.
"Last week was very busy,” Mr Bryans said.
"Yesterday (Tuesday) was the most people I've seen so far swimming laps in the Olympic pool, I'd say there were 15 to 20 people using the lanes at once.”
He also noted the MAAC's air conditioned gym was proving a popular spot to workout.
Water the best way to keep plants alive
Gardening guru Carolyn Osmond has been hard at work at the Fork and Spade keeping up the water to her large array of flora and fauna.
"You can absolutely plant at this time of year but you must water every single day whether you are watering petunias or gum trees," she said.
A combination of wind and 40 degree temperatures pose as potential threats to any greenery.
"Mulch, mulch, mulch. It's very important to keep the precious water in and the burning sun out; it acts as an insulation," Carolyn said.
Her last tip was deep watering, especially for plants that may have started to wilt or turn brown.
