Extreme heat is forecast to sweep across four states in Australia through to the New Year, with temperatures in some towns set to hit 45C for six consecutive days.
Sky News senior meteorologist Tristan Meyers said the national heatwave would challenge the record books.
‘This is not only due to how hot individual days are going to be — for example 45C, 46C, and potentially 47C in parts of western, southern NSW, northern Victoria and South Australia — but also how prolonged it’s going to be,’ he said.
‘For some areas we’re going to see a week or more of 45C-plus temperatures and that hasn’t ever happened before — particularly in December, but potentially all time.’
Australian’s are set to swelter through a record breaking heatwave into the New Year with temperatures in some town expected to soar above 45C.
‘For some areas we’re going to see a week or more of 45C-plus temperatures and that hasn’t ever happened before — particularly in December,’ senior meteorologist Tristan Meyers said
Blistering temperatures will be caused by a high pressure system – also known as a blocking system – which is brewing of the east coast.
Mr Meyers said the high pressure system is ‘not really moving’ and appears to be remaining in the same position for the next week or two.
Scorching temperatures have already seen beaches packed across the country but the intense heat also threatens to causes bushfires.
Blistering temperatures will be caused by a high pressure system – also known as a blocking system – which is brewing of the east coast.
Scorching temperatures have already seen beaches fill to the brim across the country but the intense heat also threatens to causes heat exhaustion and bushfires
Temperatures in Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania are set to skyrocket
Temperatures are forecast to skyrocket to as high as 47C in coming days, with no relief in sight
Victorian authorities have already issued health alerts for parts of the state, particularly the regional centre.
Strict fire warnings are also in place for Western Australia, South Australia and Tasmania.
Tasmania has already been hit by bushfires, and firefighters battled a roaring blaze on Bruny Island throughout Christmas Day.
The heatwave has already made itself known in the Kimberley Region in Western Australia, with the town of Fitzroy Crossing sweltering to an early high of 47C.
The searing heat broke the previous record of 46.5C, which was set only weeks ago.
But the worst could be yet to come, with even higher temperatures forecast for the end of the week.
Blistering temperatures have already seen beaches fill to the brim across the country
With the soaring temperatures comes health and safety warnings over heat-related illnesses
Inland areas of South Australia are forecast to suffer constant 40C temperatures, peaking at 41C on Thursday
For areas of inland South Australia temperatures are not expected to fall below 40C, peaking at 41C on Thursday.
Central Victoria is forecast to reach blistering temperatures above 40C by the end of the week, with Mildura – in the state’s northwest – expecting a top of 46C on Sunday.
The only part of the country not closing in on record-setting temperatures is coastal Queensland, parts of which are still recovering from ex-Tropical Cyclone Owen.
New South Wales will also experience stifling heat, only a week after two supercell storms battered Sydney.
Even New South Wales, whose capital city of Sydney endured twin supercell storms a week ago, are expecting stifling heats. Pictured are Christmas revellers on Bondi Beach
Temperatures across southern and central Australia and New South Wales will increase from Boxing Day and into well the new year period
Under extreme conditions, everyone is more susceptible to heat-related illnesses
Temperatures across southern and central Australia and New South Wales will rise from Boxing Day and continue well into the New Year.
Western Sydney could even see four consecutive days of 40-plus degrees, starting this weekend.
The Bureau of Meteorology is warning members of the public to stay sun smart during the summer period.
Under extreme conditions, everyone is susceptible to heat-related illnesses, they warned, but particularly children and the elderly.