WA heatwave: Perth breaks records with seven February days above 40C

The BoM says ‘it’s been a long, hot slog for the folks in the western part of the state’ during the heatwave. Photograph: Jennifer A Smith/Getty Images

Perth baked through a record-breaking seventh 40C-plus February day on Monday as Western Australia’s extreme heatwave saw the state lock up the top 15 hottest places in the world over a 24-hour period.

Perth hit 42.3C on Monday afternoon, bringing the number of days above 40C this month to seven – well beyond the previous record of four days, set in February 2016. Geraldton exceeded predications, reaching a top of 47.7C in the early afternoon.