Australia has officially recorded the hottest temperatures in the world as intense heat and humidity grip the nation. Marble Bar in Western Australia’s Pilbara region was the hottest place on Earth on Tuesday, registering a scorching 46.4°C, according to Ogimet.
Other locations in Western Australia also recorded extreme temperatures, with Learmonth Airport and Leonora Aero near the North West Cape reaching 46.2°C. Leonora Leinster Aerodrome AWS recorded 45.8°C, while Laverton AWS reached 45.7°C, as Western Australia dominated the global maximum temperature list.
The Bureau of Meteorology has issued heatwave warnings, forecasting extreme conditions across large parts of New South Wales, Western Australia, the ACT, Victoria, Tasmania, and South Australia until at least Friday. The Bureau warned that temperatures could be the worst seen since the 2019/20 Black Summer bushfires.
Meteorologist Angus Hines said the heat would intensify on Wednesday, with Victoria and South Australia expected to bear the brunt. Melbourne and Adelaide are both forecast to reach highs of 41°C. While coastal areas may experience some relief from sea breezes later in the day, inland parts of Victoria, New South Wales, and South Australia are expected to remain dangerously hot.
Hines noted that northern parts of South Australia could see temperatures around 45°C, with severe heat also forecast along the Murray River.
Although Melbourne is expected to cool to around 30°C on Thursday, Adelaide is forecast to reach 39°C and Canberra 37°C. Temperatures are then expected to rise again on Friday, particularly in Melbourne and Canberra.
The heat is also set to intensify in New South Wales, with Sydney’s CBD forecast to reach around 33°C, while western suburbs could experience temperatures of 39°C to 40°C. Saturday is expected to be the hottest day of the week for Sydney, with temperatures reaching 39°C in the city and potentially 43°C to 44°C in western areas such as Penrith and Parramatta.
