Australia just experienced its first 40 degree day of the season as spring well and truly takes hold. As is usual for this time of year, heat has been gradually building across Australia's northwest as clear skies combine with the sun's strengthening rays as we move further into the heating season. Mandora in the Kimberley took the honours of the first 40 degree day of the season, rising to 40.4 degrees close to midday on Sunday 14th. This is typical timing for the nation's first forty, generally occurring mid-way through September. It is quite a contrast from last year though, when Fitzroy Crossing recorded 40 degrees on the first day of September, the earliest in the heating season that Australia has achieved since 1970. As it gets further and further into spring, temperatures will continue to rise, with 40 degrees likely to be commonplace across the nation's north by late in September or October.