Australia records its hottest day ever for second time this week

Australia had its hottest day ever on Wednesday after Tuesday broke the same record.

Based on preliminary analysis, the Bureau of Meteorology said the nation’s average maximum day-time temperature was 41.9C on Wednesday.

It exceeded the record of 40.9C on Tuesday.

The Bureau confirmed many locations across Australia broke both December and annual records.

A Bureau of Meteorology map showing the maximum temperatures recorded in Australia on Wednesday, December 18, 2019.
The Bureau of Meteorology has confirmed Wednesday was the hottest day on record. Pictured is a map showing the maximum temperatures across the nation. Source: BoM

The highest temperature recorded on Wednesday was 47.7C at Birdsville Airport in Queensland.

While Adelaide recorded a top of 45 degrees in Kent Town and Sydney reached a top of 42.5 degrees.

Temperatures exceeded 45 degrees for much of the interior of Australia on Tuesday. At Ceduna on the west coast of the Eyre Peninsula in South Australia a maximum of 46.5 degrees was recorded.

The Nullarbor in South Australia recorded a temperature of 49.9 degrees on Thursday, which could be a December record for Australia.

While Victorians had some relief on Thursday, they should brace for extreme heat on Friday.

People flock to St Kilda beach as a heat wave sweeps across Victoria. Wednesday, December 18, 2019. Source: AAP Image/David Crosling.
People flock to St Kilda beach as a heat wave sweeps across Victoria. Wednesday, December 18, 2019. Source: AAP Image/David Crosling.

The mercury will soar into the mid-40s throughout the state on Friday.

A total fire ban remained in place on Thursday for the northern and northeast districts, and that will become statewide on Friday.

While the maximum in Sydney will be 26 degrees on Friday, the city’s temperature will only climb to the high 30s on Saturday as suburbs out west could be reach 46 degrees.

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