Australia ‘hotter than hell’ as temperatures soar towards 50C for week long ‘satanic’ blast
Record-breaking heatwave shows no signs of letting up
AUSTRALIA's blistering heatwave continues with temperatures set to nudge 50C this week - as forecasters warned of the most dangerous day of the season for wildfires.
Already around 200 fires are burning and that is likely to get worse as parts of the country are blasted "Satanic" heat and hot winds to stoke the flames.
It hit 49C last week in South Australia, forcing residents to stay indoors as weather maps turned a terrifying black.
Records tumbled across the country. Alice Springs marked 12 days in a row with temperatures above 40C.
Broken Hill in New South Wales was over 45C for five days straight and he town of Noona had an overnight minimum of 35.9C.
And the all-time temperature record of 50.7C at Oodnadatta in January 1960 could be smashed this week.
Bureau of Meteorology forecaster Phil Perkins warned: "The heat is only going to build and build and build as the winds and the heat combine."
A total ban on fires has been imposed in some areas to stop further outbreaks of wildfires like those currently raging in the hot and dry conditions.
SERIOUS HEAT YET TO COME
It has been so hot that exhausted fruit bats have been falling from trees, and fish choked to death in a steaming hot river.
Temperatures in the 40s are forecast even in coastal areas including Adelaide and Melbourne, peaking on Thursday or Friday.
Even normally mild Tasmania is suffering, with around 50 fires burning.
Sky News weatherman Rob Sharpe said: "Friday could be the most dangerous fire day we’ve seen this summer across south east Australia.
“Unfortunately the fire threat will ramp up again to a peak on Friday when winds and temperatures look to be worse than today.
"This will lead to multiple districts with severe fire danger and even the chance of extreme fire danger in parts of Tasmania, something that is exceptionally rare.”
He said this month could be Australia's hottest ever January, following the hottest every December.
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Mr Sharpe said: "In this latest heat spell we had four days that were in the top ten hottest Australian days on record and the hottest night on record.
“We’ve had some serious heat and it has not really broken up. This next hot spell will take us through to the end of month so I wouldn’t be surprised if it was the hottest January ever."
The heatwave has seen heartbreaking images show wildlife suffering and carcasses left to bake in the unforgiving sun.
Even when the heatwave breaks, the suffering will not be over a tropical cyclone forming off Western Australia is set to smash into the coast.
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