Sydney and Melbourne could swelter through 50C days within decades

Australia's two biggest cities could swelter through 50C days within a few decades.

A study has found that Sydney and Melbourne are likely to endure such summers even if global warming is contained to the Paris accord limit of a 2C rise above pre‑industrial levels.

Scientists say that limiting warming to below that would make 50C days less likely.

Sydney reached a record 45.8C in 2013 while Melbourne hit 46.4C in 2009.

The study examined only forecasts for Victoria and New South Wales, but researchers said the rest of Australia could also expect rises.

Lead researcher Dr. Sophie Lewis from the Australian National University says one of the hottest years on record globally ‑ in 2015 ‑ could be an average year by 2025.

Source: BBC