by Billy Santo
Mossman State High School Work experience

"Is it just me or is the weather getting hotter?"  This is the phrase we’ve been hearing all around Port Douglas for the past few weeks. 

But is the weather really getting hotter? Or are we all just imagining things?

These past three days have been exceptionally hot, with both high and low temperatures up to 8 degrees more than the 22-28 degrees average.

But don’t put away the fans just yet, we’re in for another hot week all through next week with Saturday and Tuesday topping a scorching 30 degree Celsius.

Now call me sentimental, but back in the good ole’ days, (1907-1968) we had proper temperatures, with the September average only reaching 26 degrees, often dropping to 18 degrees.

So the records show that indeed the temperature is climbing and climbing fast, it isn’t just our imagination.But is it too early to cry out “Global Warming?”

What effect does this recent heatwave really have on our forthcoming Greentime season, when the rains traditionally visit us? 

There is evidence from the Bureau of Meteorology that Heat = Rain, and of course Rain = Green, and Greentime = Good health and regeneration.

The proof is in the pudding because for the past two January’s we’ve been drenched with 652mm (2010) of rain, and 848mm (2009), meaning we have had over 60% more rain than the average.

Some may say that this recent heat wave is due to the alignment of Saturn and Neptune, some may say the reason is global warming, but to me it appears that the rising temperatures are a direct correlation to the plentiful rains through the Greentime, so, I say fingers crossed that it gets hotter. 

This way the tourists will be able to continue to enjoy a fantastic beach season with record temperatures from June to September followed by a brilliant Greentime season from October to March to enjoy the rainforests at their lushest and crystal clear reef waters and plentiful fishing.