How hot is the Northern Territory?

Answer 1

No. Surprisingly, even though the Top End of Australia is closest to the equator, the humidity of the Northern Territory (which is a territory, not a state) keeps the actual mean temperatures down.

The hottest state is Western Australia. The world heat record goes to Marble Bar in Western Australia, which recorded maximum temperatures equalling or exceeding 37.8°C on 161 consecutive days, between 30 October 1923 and 7 April 1924.

Answer 2

It varies.

The Northern Territory encompasses a variety of landscapes, from desert to tropical rainforest. For the purposes of this question, the answer will be taken from two towns that represent these extremes - Alice Springs, in central Australia (the southern part of the Northern Territory), and Darwin, the capital, which lies within the tropical zone.

Alice Springs lies within the temperate zone. However, because the town itself is located in the middle of Australia, it is within a desert climate. The climate is very hot and dry in summer, and cool and dry in winter. The average maximum temperature in Alice Springs in January, which is Summer, is 36°C in January, while the winter maximum temperature is 19°C. Naturally, temperatures can (and often do) exceed these temperatures. Average minimum temperatures range from 21°C in January and 4°C in July.

Darwin, in the far north, is warm to hot all year around, but the intense humidity of the region makes it seem hotter. The average maximum temperatures range from 30°C in the Winter months to 33°C in Spring. October and November are the hottest months, occurring just before the monsoonal rains come in.