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Several states brace for intense heatwave

Ben Domensino, Thursday February 9, 2017 - 15:01 AEDT

It has already been an oppressive start to 2017 across central and eastern Australia as successive heatwaves allowed little, if any respite in many areas. Now, parts of South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales, the ACT and Queensland are bracing for another round of potentially record breaking hot weather.

Last week in Queensland, Birdsville registered its hottest February day on record by reaching 46.2 degrees on Friday afternoon. Temperatures have now exceeded 43 degrees there for the last 13 days in a row, smashing the previous record of nine days from 2013. Historical observations in Birdsville are available back to the late 1800s.

In South Australia today, Moomba will record its 14th consecutive day over 40 degrees and the fifth in a row above 44 degrees. This run of 44 degree days is forecast to reach eight by Monday for the first time on record, with data available back to 1972.

In New South Wales, Bourke will endure its 13th days over 40 degrees today and should extend this run to 16 days by Sunday. This would make it their longest spell this hot in 78 years.

Adelaide and Melbourne are both heating about 10 degrees above average today and Adelaide will have another hot one tomorrow, although this spell of heat will not be a long-lived for the southern capitals.

Canberra's next four days will reach the mid-thirties to low-forties and if all days exceed 36, it will be the hottest four day spell in three years.

Sydney is likely to have its 10th day over 35 degrees for the season either today or tomorrow, setting a new record against the city's 158 years of observational history. Western suburbs could have a record-breaking three days over 42 degrees from Friday to Sunday.

Brisbane is forecast to climb above 35 degrees from Saturday to Monday, which would be their hottest three day spell on record during February.

A southerly change will bring a welcome end to this heatwave on Sunday for most areas, although central Queensland will remain hot at the beginning of next week.

- Weatherzone

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