Alice Springs has just recorded its hottest September on record, by a very large margin. The average maximum temperature for the month was a scorching 33.2 degrees, six degrees above the long-term average. However, more significantly, the previous September record of 30.7 degrees set in 1980 was smashed by 2.5 degrees, a huge margin by climatology standards. These temperatures are more typical of late October or early November. Nine days in the month reached at least 35 degrees, well above the long-term average of 1.5 days, and equals the record set in 2003. Nights were also unseasonably warm averaging 13.4 degrees, three above average and the fourth warmest on record. The warm nights and days also meant that Alice Springs's combined temperature was the warmest on record for September. Persistently clear skies and an unusually warm winter have allowed heat to build sooner and quicker than usual, causing the extreme heat. With skies set to remain clear, October is likely to be another month of intense heat for the red centre.