Updated Dec. 18, 2019 10:47 AM
A heat wave that scorched Perth and parts of Western Australia in recent days will overtake much of the country this week.
All-time and daily records are in jeopardy across South Australia, New South Wales and Victoria as the dangerous heat builds.
Based on preliminary reports, Tuesday was Australia's hottest day on record. The average maximum temperature across the country as a whole was 40.9 C (105.6 F) which would break the previous record of 40.3 C (104.5 F) set in January 2013, according to the Australian Bureau of Meteorology.
This new record may not last long as the current heat wave will send temperatures soaring even higher in some locations on Wednesday and Thursday with the potential for a new record to be set.
The country's all-time high temperature record for a single location may also be in jeopardy as temperatures soar to near 50 C (122 F) across the interior. The current record is 50.7 C (123.3 F) set in Oodnadatta on Jan. 2, 1960.
This heat wave will bring life-threatening conditions to millions of people from Adelaide and Melbourne to Canberra and Sydney.
Anyone outdoors during the hottest times of the day will need to drink plenty of fluids and take breaks from strenuous activities to lower the risk for heat-related illnesses.
Children and the elderly will be at the highest risk for heatstroke or heat exhaustion and should stay in air-conditioned locations when possible.
Adelaide
Adelaide and surrounding parts of South Australia will endure a prolonged heat wave this week as temperatures climb to dangerous levels into Friday.
Temperatures soared on Wednesday with a high temperature of 44.7 C (112.5 F) in eastern and northern parts of the city. Similar temperatures are expected on Thursday and Friday.
A break in the heat will occur by the weekend as cooler air will sweep across the area Friday night into Saturday along with a brief shower or two.
A high temperature of 26 C (79 F) is forecast for Saturday before warmer air begins to return on Sunday with a high of 30 C (86 F).
Melbourne
Residents of Melbourne will be in for a roller-coaster ride this week as temperatures spike on multiple days.
Temperatures soared to dangerous levels on Wednesday with a high of 40 C (104 F) reported across the city.
A wind shift to the south on Thursday will result in a dramatically cooler day with a high temperature of 24 C (75 F).
Scorching air from the interior will return on Friday for what is expected to be the hottest day of the week with a high temperature of 43 C (109 F).
Much cooler air will settle into the region this weekend and send high temperatures tumbling to around 21 C (70 F).
Canberra
A lengthy heat wave will grip Canberra into Sunday. Smoke from nearby bushfires will also cause poor air quality.
The core of the heat will settle over the city from Thursday to Saturday with daily highs at or above 40 C (104 F).
Temperatures will lower slightly on Sunday but remain well above normal with an expected afternoon high temperature of 31 C (88 F).
Unseasonable warmth will continue next week, but it will not be at the dangerous levels expected in the coming days.
Sydney
Sydney will escape a prolonged heat wave this week, but a pair of days will still feature dangerous heat.
The first surge of heat is expected on Thursday when temperatures peak near 40 C (104 F).
Following a break in the heat on Friday, temperatures will soar again on Saturday.
Saturday's high temperature in the city will once again be near 34 C (94 F) with western suburbs climbing above 44 C (111 F).
A prolonged period of seasonable temperatures will follow from Sunday into next week.
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The intense heat will also elevate the risk for new bushfires to develop while ongoing firefighting efforts will be hindered.
In an attempt to limit new fires from developing, New South Wales has declared a total fire ban through Saturday as more than 100 fires continue to burn across the state, according to The Guardian.
Total fire bans have been put in place for parts of South Australia into Friday. Elsewhere, a total fire ban has been put in place for Wimmera, Victoria, on Wednesday.
Forecasters say prolonged periods of strong winds are not expected during the heat wave across southeast Australia, but occasionally gusty winds will further enhance the fire threat.
The strongest winds of the week will be from Friday into Saturday as cooler air that will help put an end to the heat wave arrives in parts of South Australia and Victoria.
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