We Just Found Australia's Hottest, Sweatiest, Steamiest Suburb

It's been a hot January so far across Australia. How hot?

So hot that every Australian capital city has had above average maximum temperatures. Every single one. From Perth to Brisbane, from Hobart to Darwin, from the tropics to the temperate zone, all of Australia's capitals have been above average.

The tables are below. The two biggest anomalies are Canberra, where maximum temperatures have been four degrees above the norm for January, and Sydney, where top temps have been three degrees higher than usual.

After looking at the stats for the eight cities, we drilled down further. We wanted to know Australia's hottest suburb so far in 2017. The answer? Penrith in Sydney's west.

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For those who don't know Sydney well, Penrith, is 55 kilometres west of the Sydney CBD on the outskirts of the metropolitan area at the foot of the Blue Mountains.

It's typically much hotter than the coastal areas of the city in summer because it generally misses the sea breeze. It also rains less than downtown Sydney, and rain is a mitigator of high temperatures. But this year, Penrith is having a real stinker of a January. Here are the stats:

Penrith
Long term Jan average max: 30.7
2017 average max so far: 33.7
2017 days above 40 so far: 6
2017 days above 35 so far: 10
2017 hottest day to date: 45.1

As you can see, Penrith had a day of 45.1 degrees. That was on January 18. We've had a good look at weather stations in the outer metro areas of other major cities (like Ipswich, where it's usually several degrees hotter than Brisbane City) but nothing comes close to that month-high temp.

Nor have we found a weather station anywhere across the country (in a capital city) with anything like Penrith's six days with temperatures over 40. In fact, it's been so consistently hot out there, we're guessing the candles have been melting.

It is so hot in Penrith it is 43.6° and tomorrow is 42° yuck we need some🌧🌧🌧🙏🙏

If you have a warm house and you... https://t.co/rFc4iqOfe8

— S&S Candle Studio (@SSCandleStudio) 17 de janeiro de 2017

So while we don't have official confirmation from the Bureau of Meteorology (because the month is not yet complete), we have no hesitation whatsoever in declaring Penrith Australia's hottest suburb to date in 2017. We salute its residents for sweating their way through. No wonder the local pool has been popular.

Too hot to train, but not to bond as a group! Our Senior Rowers enjoyed some time off this afternoon with 45 degree temperatures in Penrith. pic.twitter.com/exFa6JWDdv

— Queenwood Sport (@Queenwood_Sport) 18 de janeiro de 2017

Here is the full list of stats we've compiled. The fact that the eight Australian capital cities -- which are located in several distinct climatic zones -- are all experiencing average maximum temperatures well above average is a pretty good snapshot of the effects of climate change.

Sydney
Long term Jan average max: 25.9
2017 average max so far 2017: 29.2
2017 days above 40: 0
2017 days above 35: 3
2017 hottest day to date: 38.1

Canberra
Long term Jan average max: 28
2017 average max so far: 32.3
2017 days above 40 so far: 0
2017 days above 35 so far: 8
2017 hottest day to date: 39.6

Melbourne
Long term Jan average max: 26
2017 average max so far: 27.1
2017 days above 40 so far: 0
2017 days above 35 so far: 4
2017 hottest day to date: 37.8

Brisbane
Long term Jan average max: 30.2
2017 average max so far: 31.4
2017 days above 40 so far: 0
2017 days above 35 so far: 3
2017 hottest day to date: 35.6

Perth
Long term Jan average max: 29.7
2017 average max so far: 30.7
2017 days above 40 so far: 2
2017 days above 35 so far: 8
2017 hottest day to date: 40.9

Adelaide
Long term Jan average max: 30.9
2017 average max so far: 29.4
2017 days above 40 so far: 2
2017 days above 35 so far: 7
2017 hottest day to date: 41.1

Darwin
Long term Jan average max: 31.8
2017 average max so far: 32
2017 days above 40 so far: 0
2017 days above 35 so far: 0
2017 hottest day to date: 33.3

Hobart
Long term Jan average max: 21.7
2017 average max so far: 22.7
2017 days above 40 so far: 0
2017 days above 35 so far: 0
2017 hottest day to date: 31.3

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