Adelaide streets are deserted as the city sizzles at 47C – with horror heatwave set to hit Sydney

Adelaide’s record-breaking heatwave has left the city’s streets deserted, as South Australians stay away from the CBD in droves during the sweltering conditions.

The state capital recorded its highest-ever temperature of 46.6C on Thursday, breaking a record that had stood for almost a century.

Streets were almost completely empty as people sought the relief of air-conditioned buildings or relaxing at the beach rather than exposing themselves to the sweltering heat.

 

Adelaide’s record-breaking heatwave has left the city’s streets deserted, as South Australians stay away from the CBD in droves during the sweltering conditions

The state capital recorded its highest-ever temperature of 46.6C on Thursday, breaking a record that had stood for almost a century. (Pictured: Rundle Mall)

The state capital recorded its highest-ever temperature of 46.6C on Thursday, breaking a record that had stood for almost a century. (Pictured: Rundle Mall)

Streets were empty as people sought the relief of air-conditioned buildings or relaxing at the beach rather than exposing themselves to the sweltering conditions. Pictured: Rundle Mall

Streets were empty as people sought the relief of air-conditioned buildings or relaxing at the beach rather than exposing themselves to the sweltering conditions. Pictured: Rundle Mall

West Terrace in the city centre broke the record high of 46.1C recorded in 1939.

Temperatures in South Australia a sweltering 22C higher than average in some parts of the state. Port Augusta was the hottest town with the mercury hitting 49.5C. Yesterday was the fourth-hottest day ever in South Australia.

Some Adelaide residents noticed there were fewer people making their way towards the city on Thursday.

‘I could see why there’s less people in the train going to work. It’s unfair to work on a 43-45 degree weather in Adelaide,’ one person tweeted.

While a much-needed cool change had swept through Adelaide, resulting in milder temperatures on Friday, the heatwave made its way across Australia and was set to bake Victoria and New South Wales. 

Melbourne’s forecast high temperature for Friday was 44C; the hottest since the devastating Black Saturday bushfires of 2009.

Temperatures in South Australia were as much as 22C higher than average in some parts of the state

Temperatures in South Australia were as much as 22C higher than average in some parts of the state

Adelaide sweltered through a record-high temperature on Thursday during a scorching heatwave

Adelaide sweltered through a record-high temperature on Thursday during a scorching heatwave

The heat has strained Victoria’s energy supplies, leaving about 8000 people without power.

Victorian Energy Minister Lily D’Ambrosio said people should monitor their non-essential use of electricity.

Dishwashers, kitchen appliances, washing machines and pool pumps should all be turned off, she said.

A state-wide fire ban remained in place for Victoria on Friday. 

People have been advised to limit their electricity use as the heat puts a strain on power supplies

People have been advised to limit their electricity use as the heat puts a strain on power supplies

Adelaide streets were mostly deserted during Thursday's roasting-hot weather

Adelaide streets were mostly deserted during Thursday’s roasting-hot weather

The heatwave will make its way to Sydney this weekend, with temperatures of more than 40C forecast for Australia Day on Saturday.

In the city’s west, Penrith will have a high of 42C, while the NSW Riverina region will hit a scorching 48C on Friday.

The high temperatures will be caused by hot air making its way across Australia from the northern part of the country. 

The heatwave is set to make its way across Victoria and New South Wales during Australia Day weekend

The heatwave is set to make its way across Victoria and New South Wales during Australia Day weekend

The heatwave will make its way to Sydney this weekend, with temperatures of more than 40C forecast for Australia Day on Saturday

The heatwave will make its way to Sydney this weekend, with temperatures of more than 40C forecast for Australia Day on Saturday

In the city's west, Penrith will have a high of 42C, while the NSW Riverina region will hit a scorching 48C on Friday

In the city’s west, Penrith will have a high of 42C, while the NSW Riverina region will hit a scorching 48C on Friday

Meanwhile in Queensland, a tropical low over the state’s far north is expected to intensify into a cyclone and head south.

The strengthening weather system is sitting over Cape York Peninsula and is forecast develop throughout Friday, the Bureau of Meteorology says.

The system was about 125km west of Weipa in the Gulf of Carpentaria and extends north across the peninsula.

The heatwave has been caused by hot air making its way across Australia from the northern part of the country

The heatwave has been caused by hot air making its way across Australia from the northern part of the country

The heat has strained Victoria's energy supplies, leaving about 8000 people without power

The heat has strained Victoria’s energy supplies, leaving about 8000 people without power

The low has a greater than 50 per cent chance of becoming a cyclone by Saturday, with far northern communities warned to expect heavy rain that could cause flash flooding during Friday.

Wind gusts of 90km/h are possible.

Communities from just north of Cairns to Pormpuraaw and further north, on the Gulf of Carpentaria, were under a severe weather warning, along with the Torres Strait.

A flood watch was in place for major catchments in the region, with 6-hour rainfall totals in excess of 150mm possible. 

Weekend weather forecast 

SYDNEY  

Friday: Min 21, Max 29, mostly sunny

Saturday: Min 23, Max 33, sunny

Sunday: Min 23, Max 32, partly cloudy

MELBOURNE 

Friday: Min 29, Max 44, windy, afternoon cool change

Saturday: Min 19, Max 27, partly cloudy

Sunday: Min 18, Max 23, partly cloudy

BRISBANE  

Friday: Min 23, Max 32, partly cloudy

Saturday: Min 23, Max 32, partly cloudy 

Sunday: Min 23, Max 32, mostly sunny

CANBERRA  

Friday: Min 16, Max 39, hot and sunny

Saturday: Min 22, Max 40, hot partly, cloudy 

Sunday: Min 21, Max 35, shower or two

PERTH 

Friday: Min 12, Max 27, sunny

Saturday: Min 15, Max 31, sunny

Sunday: Min 16, Max 34, sunny

ADELAIDE  

Friday: Min 25, Max 31, partly cloudy

Saturday: Min 18, Max 29, partly cloudy

Sunday: Min 16, Max 28, cloud clearing

HOBART  

Friday: Min 20, Max 37, hot, partly cloudy

Saturday: Min 17, Max 23, late shower or two 

Sunday: Min 14, Max 24, partly cloudy 

DARWIN  

Friday: Min 25, Max 32, shower or two, storm likely

Saturday: Min 25, Max 32, shower or two, storm likely 

Sunday: Min 25, Max 32, shower or two, storm likely

Source: Bureau of Meteorology 

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