Australia swelters in ‘extensive’ heatwave
Australia is in the grip of one of the most prolonged heatwaves on record, with temperatures in some areas reaching almost 50C.
The excessively high temperatures have caused bushfires and hospitals have seen an increase in patients suffering the effects of the heat.
The outback town of Tarcoola in South Australia reached 49C on Tuesday, and Port Augusta in South Australia reached 48.9C.
A night-time temperature of 35.9C was recorded in Noona in New South Wales, which was the highest minimum temperature ever recorded anywhere in Australia, according to the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM).
"The current heatwave ranks alongside that of January 2013 as the most extensive and prolonged heatwave on record over Australia," BOM senior meteorologist Blair Trewin told the BBC.
"There have been other notable heatwaves but none affecting such a large area of the country."
A large area of New South Wales is bearing the brunt of the heat, with temperatures also soaring in parts of Queensland, South Australia, Victoria and the Northern Territory.
Temperatures are expected to drop in southern and central areas over the weekend but meteorologists say they are then set to rise in Western Australia.
Parts of the state could see temperatures up to 14 degrees higher than average in the next few days.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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