FYI: Australia Is About To Have It's Hottest Day In History This Week

Australia could experience its hottest day on record this week as a result of the hot air mass which was built up in Western Australia as it heads east. 

Perth faced an abnormal heatwave for December over the last four consecutive days with the average temperature sitting around 40 degrees Celsius, but now there are new weather warnings being issued as the rest of Australia faces abnormal temperatures.

The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) map now shows that temperatures are predicted to hit the mid to high 40s for parts of South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales, increasing the bushfire risk.

Adelaide is expected to reach or exceed 40 degrees Celsius for four consecutive days, while Broken Hill and Mildura — which is predicted to hit 46C on Friday — are among several locations expecting five such days in a row.

The current highest recorded temperature is 50.7C which was in Oodnadatta in SA but this is predicted to be beaten in the upcoming heatwave this week with the hottest part being in SA.

"The hottest places will be through the Eyre Peninsula area and north-western parts of the state, so places like Ceduna, Tarcoola, Kyancutta — I'm expecting the temperatures through those areas will probably get to the 48C, 49C mark later this week," Senior forecaster Tom Boeck said.

The SES said it was possible a code red would be declared to provide extra support for rough sleepers.

"We're expecting some incredibly warm conditions as we head into next week, potentially record-breaking for a number of areas across southern Australia over the next seven days or so," BOM meteorologist Diana Eadie said.

"We will potentially see the hottest day on record across all of Australia."

Adelaide and Canberra are expecting temperatures near the 40C mark next week, but the hottest parts of the country will be further inland.

The heat is expected to hit SA first, then throughout the remainder of next week, it will extend further east over Victoria, New South Wales and then into the southern parts of Northern Territory and parts of Queensland. 

AKA nowhere is safe! 

The Health Department has activated its heatwave hazard plan and is liaising with various agencies, hospitals, businesses, infrastructure providers and sporting clubs to minimise the risks of heat to the public.

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