Heatwave could break Aussie records

Australia is facing a record-breaking heatwave in coming days, with temperatures pushing 50 degrees Celsius in parts of the country.

Almost all mainland Australia will be affected by the heat, which is spreading eastwards from Perth.

"We're expecting some incredibly warm conditions as we head into next week, potentially record-breaking for a number of areas across southern Australia over the next seven days or so," BOM meteorologist Diana Eadie said.

"It is not out of the realms of possibility that we could break our highest ever recorded temperature of 50.7C at Oodnadatta, which is in South Australia."

That record was set more than 50 years ago, in January 1960.

South Australia is set to be the hardest hit by the heat, with consecutive days of temperatures up to 50C.

Ms Eade said the record for the hottest Australian day could also be broken.

The highest average maximum across the country on record was 40.3C, set in January 2013.

"It looks like we could break that record over a number of consecutive days towards the end of next week," Ms Eade said.

Australia-wide, temperatures are set to be 12C-16C above the December average.