Citizens cool off with free beer as South Australia heatwave smashes record temperatures
- Temperatures north of Adelaide neared 48 degrees Celsius, with some of the 13 towns in South Australia forecast to hit 50 degrees today
- More than 100 people lined up for over an hour in the heat to get a free beer offered by a pub
The Bureau of Meteorology reported temperatures of 47.9 degrees Celsius north of Adelaide, while inside the city temperatures reached 46.2 degrees, a fraction above a record that had stood since 1939.
Adelaide residents are used to sweltering days during the southern hemisphere’s summer, but even they could find very little relief from the oppressive temperatures.
More than 13 towns across South Australia have smashed their own heat records, with some of the state forecast to see temperatures of 50 degrees by the end of the day.
While thousands flocked to the beach to cool off in the surf, hundreds have taken to shopping centres to stay out of the heat.
At the Red Lion Hotel, publicans gave a free beer to each of their patrons while the temperature remained above 45 degrees.
Around one hundred people lined up for their free drink for over one hour.