Ceduna had its record hottest year in 2009 and 2010 has already started out with four days over 40ºC in the past week.
The average temperature for 2009 in Ceduna was 17.9 degrees, while Nullarbor (17.8) and Elliston (17.7) also had record averages.
Average temperatures are worked out by dividing the maximum temperature by the minimum temperature for each day of the year.
Ceduna also recorded its hottest ever night in 2009 (32.7 on January 29), while Kyancutta recorded the state’s hottest maximum temperature for the year, at 48.2 on January 28, equal with Renmark.
Bureau of Meteorology senior meteorologist Darren Ray said there was a heating trend across South Australia.
“It’s hot right around the state and across much of the country,” Mr Ray said.
“Potentially we’ve got long-term overall rises from climate change and we’ve got an El Niño event, which causes things to rise.
“Often the year after the El Niño event can be warm as well – even warmer than the year before.
“The El Niño took a while to start and we’re in that at the moment. It may only slightly die out as we go out into 2010.”
Mr Ray added that – as well as being more uncomfortable – higher temperatures meant lower soil moisture, increased evaporation and higher bushfire risk.
With the hot and windy weather this week, catastrophic fire conditions were declared for the West Coast on Saturday, Sunday and Monday, but there were no serious fires.
Country Fire Service chief officer Euan Ferguson said the CFS urged South Australians in fire risk areas to activate their bushfire survival plans and consider their responsibilities to prevent any fires.
“Given the warmer weather, Country Fire Service volunteers are at a higher level of preparedness and we’re asking the public to do the same,” Mr Ferguson said.
“Summer in southern Australia brings conditions that are ideal for bushfires: hot, dry, windy weather and vegetation that quickly dries out.
“Making a choice when a bushfire threatens is too late. The majority of people who die in bushfires die fleeing their homes at the last moment. They place themselves at greater risk of suffering smoke inhalation and being burnt by radiant heat.
“Having and implementing a well-rehearsed bushfire survival plan and being aware of the fire danger rating in your area and what action you will take is the safest option for your survival.”
In December, the CFS named “bushfire safer precincts” as towns where people in rural areas could leave to on catastrophic days.
On the West Coast, they are Ceduna, Elliston, Lock, Minnipa, Penong, Smoky Bay, Streaky Bay, Thevenard, Venus Bay, Wirrulla and Wudinna.
The safest areas, called “safer settlements” are all in Adelaide.
Rainfall in 2009 in Ceduna was 49mm below average and Streaky Bay was 71mm above average.
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