Temperature record could be repeatedly broken as heatwave hits Australia's south-east, BOM says

South-eastern parts of Australia are set to swelter through an intensifying heatwave from today, with the conditions bringing potentially record-breaking temperatures.

Adelaide is forecast to reach 40 degrees Celsius for the next four days, while inland parts of South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales will be even hotter, reaching the mid to high 40s during the week.

The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) said the blast of scorching weather would likely see December records tumble throughout the south-east, and potentially produce the hottest day on record across the country.

"The existing record for the highest maximum temperature averaged over Australia for a day is 40.3C. That was set back in January 2013," BOM climatologist Blair Trewin said.

"Current indications are that we'll be at least a degree above that on Wednesday and Thursday, so a really extreme event from a nationwide perspective."

read more here