"Thursday is going to be a horror day": Scorching heatwave conditions set to hit Australia
In what is supposed to break record temperatures today, South Australia and Victoria are projected to be bracing for torrid heatwave conditions.
The SES has issued an ‘Extreme Heat Warning’ and ‘Extreme Fire Danger’ for SA today.
Yesterday, Ceduna peaked its hottest day on record by half-a-degree, beating the record set in 1990 at 48.4 degrees.
The Flinders medical centre in Adelaide’s south emergency department reached max capacity, forcing ambulances to be left to wait outside.
The concern for extreme heat conditions has pushed SA health to postpone non-urgent surgeries.
“Thursday is going to be a horror day,” said John Nairn from the Bureau of Meteorology.
Yesterday there was a severe fire danger warning issued along the west coast.
Thursday is expected to not be much different, says Meteorologist Dr Adam Morgan, with “severe to extreme fire danger expected in many districts ahead of a cooler change overnight".
“If a fire does start under these conditions, we’re not going to be able to control it,” said Yvette Dowling from the SA SES to Nine News.
Severe #heatwave conditions set to place the state under stress. Maree & Oak Valley set to bake at forecast 47°C, with the majority of the SA population in the 40°C plus range today. #Adelaide expecting 40°C, some regional centres even hotter, Port Augusta 45°C @SA_SES @SAHealth pic.twitter.com/g35xGvSToz
— Bureau of Meteorology, South Australia (@BOM_SA) January 23, 2019
Adelaide is projected to top 45 degrees today, while Melbourne is headed towards 36 degrees.
Residents across Victoria are being urged to download the Vic Emergency app to keep up-to-date with weather warnings.
With 66 fires across the state, experts are worried the wind picks up.
A total fire ban has been placed across the whole state.