CO2: If it's the reason for warmth in DC, what's the reason for the cold in Perth?

Perth Cold Snap Hits Pensioners, Struggling Families

The sudden death of two elderly people overnight has come amid a spike in calls to a Perth charity by the elderly and families needing heating assistance this winter.

A 79-year-old Morley man and a Bayswater woman aged in her 80s died during a night when the temperature dipped down to 0.8 degrees just before 7.30am.

While the cause of death remains undetermined, St Vincent de Paul says they are concerned that a growing number of pensioners and struggling families are not turning on their heaters because of financial constraints and running the risk of health problems due to the cold.

Perth has shivered into its 14th straight day of sub-five degree days, with tomorrow's forecast showers expected to thaw the cold spell. It's the longest running cold snap in 66 years.