Post offices, police stations and airports claim Australia's heat records
Updated . First published
Cities and towns across Australia are forecast for record-breaking temperatures today as parts of the country swelter through a historic heatwave.
It's all because of ex-tropical cyclone Luana and a high-pressure system in the Tasman Sea, which have sent temperatures soaring in South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland.
Last night, Adelaide sweltered through its hottest-ever night, with a minimum of 34.1, and today the heatwave could push temperatures close to 50 degrees in some states, which could break existing maximum temperature records.
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Parts of Australia are currently sweltering through a record-breaking heatwave. Getty
Here are the current record high temperatures in each state and territory.
NSW
The hottest day on record in NSW was January 11, 1939, when temperatures hit 50.1 degrees at Wilcannia Post Office.
The historical landmark is located in Wilcannia, about two hours east of Broken Hill.
ACT
The ACT reported its hottest day on January 4, 2020, when Canberra recorded temperatures of almost 44 degrees.
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Queensland
Queensland's hottest day on record was Christmas Eve in 1972, when Birdsville Police Station hit 49.5 degrees.
Located in the state's deep south-west, right by the SA and NT borders, it sits near the edge of the Simpson Desert.
The police station in Birdsville experienced a 49.5 degree day back in 1972. Getty Images/iStockphoto
Victoria
On February 7, 2009, Victoria sweltered through a record-breaking heatwave, with the highest temperature of 48.8 reported at Hopetoun Airport.
The airport is situated about four and a half hours north-west of Melbourne.
Tasmania
Tasmania has the coolest hottest day on record, which was reported at Scamander on January 30, 2009.
The small town is nestled on the state's north-east coast, about a three-hour drive from Hobart.
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South Australia
On January 2, 1960, SA recorded its hottest day on record at Oodnadatta Airport, where temperatures surged to 50.7 degrees.
The airport is located south-west of the Simpson Desert, and just a few hours south of the NT border.
Several states reported record-high temperatures near the Simpson Desert, in outback Australia. Getty Images/iStockphoto
Western Australia
Onslow Airport also hit a record-breaking 50.7 degrees on January 13, 2022.
The airport is about 14 hours north of Perth and 11.5 hours south-west of Broome.
Northern Territory
The NT has technically had two hottest days on record on January 1 and 2, 1960, when Finke Post Office sweltered through back-to-back 48.3 degree days.
The post office is about a four-hour drive south of Alice Springs and sits on the edge of the Simpson Desert.
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