By Charlie Mills and Charlie McLean
Marble Bar in Western Australia has just recorded 26 days straight of over 43C. Photo: 123RF
A remote town in northern Western Australia billed as "Australia's hottest town" has just sweltered its way through almost a month of temperatures above 43 degrees Celsius.
Marble Bar ended a 26-day straight stretch of maximums over 43C on Sunday afternoon, when the mercury peaked 42.5C at 4.00pm.
The 26-day streak broke the town's record for temperatures above 43C at the current measurement site, which was previously 23 days.
However, it fell short of the record set in 2005 of 27 straight days, when temperatures were measured at a different site.
From Christmas Day to 2 January this year, the town experienced nine consecutive days above 45C.
Sunday was the first day since 18 December with a high temperature below 43 degrees, and some locals were very happy about it.
However, despite the "cooler" Sunday afternoon, the downward trend is not likely to continue.
Highs of 44C are forecast for Monday and Tuesday, before the town warms up to a balmy 45C later in the week, all while predicted thunderstorms move through the area.
Marble Bar earned the title of Australia's hottest town when it recorded the longest heatwave - 160 days over 37.7 degrees - in 1923 and 1924.
Some locals 'love it'
While many residents look to escape the January heat, some remain content in the sweltering town.
One lifelong Marble Bar resident, affectionately known as Chopper, said this year's summer had been "quite pleasant actually".
"I live in a house with no air-conditioning," he laughed.
"I put up with it."
But he said for those not used to the heat, it could be a difficult transition.
"It's a real different sort of heat - not for the faint-hearted.
"[The heat] slaps them in the face."
Margaret Kiernan from Marble Bar Visitor Centre came to the town from Albany two decades ago, making the move from one of the state's coldest areas to its hottest.
"People think we're mad," she said.
"But we love it."
When asked what people should do to beat the heat, Chopper had two tips.
"Find a swimming hole and find a good pub," he said, referring to the iconic Iron Clad Hotel, a fixture in town for more than 130 years.
A town with a competitive spirit
For many residents, it's a point of pride being from the so-called "hottest town in Australia".
Kiernan said she was "proud of the town", and although the heat can be hard to deal with, they relish the title appointed to them.
"We don't like the heat, but if we can get another record, we'll be happy."
Local station worker Jen Colditz agreed the town was proud of its moniker.
"We love it," she said.
"It's great when we talk about the temperature rises, and how everyone's going with it, and what the cattle's doing around on other stations."
But Marble Bar has some competition, when it comes the town claim to being the hottest in Australia.
In terms of average daily maximum over the year, the Kimberley town of Wyndham holds the title, with Marble Bar coming in as a close second.
But Colditz said the town wouldn't be happy with those results.
"I think we'd say we're hotter," she said.
"We're definitely competitive here."
- This story was first published by the ABC
