The temperature was close to 50 degrees – in the shade. In the sun, 15 degrees warmer, according to Australian meteorologists.

The heatwave has been gripping southeastern Australia for the past week. For eight consecutive days, large parts of the interior have averaged temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius – the longest period since the 1930s in the state of New South Wales, writes the Australian ABC.

The ongoing extreme heat has driven up the temperature – up to 21 degrees above average.

Ceduna in South Australia recorded a record high of 49.5 degrees Celsius on Monday. In Wudinna, in the state's interior, the record temperature was 48.6 degrees Celsius.

Trangie in New South Wales had its hottest day since 1932 with 47.2 degrees. A little further south in the same state, 46.1 was measured in Dubbo – a new heat record.

Today, Australians can breathe a sigh of relief, it is around 20 degrees cooler in the country after the long heat wave.

Source: Aftonbladet.se