The areas of Australia set to swelter through an increase in scorching days
It's no secret that Australia, like the rest of the world, is heating up.
So much so that, by 2050, seven regions across the country are on track to spend 90 days or more with temperatures over 35 degrees per year, according to research from the Climate Council.
It released the data ahead of the upcoming federal election, highlighting the electorates most likely to experience a spike in extremely hot days if current levels of action on climate change are maintained.
"Progress is being made to cut climate pollution, but we need to pick up the pace," Climate Council chief executive Amanda McKenzie said.
"As Australians go to the polls, we must understand that the next government's climate policies will determine the type of future our kids experience."
Read on to find out which areas of the country will experience the biggest increases in the number of sweltering days.
11. Grey, South Australia: 27 more days over 35 degrees
The South Australian seat of Grey will experience 27 more days a year over 35 degrees by 2090, making a total of 96 days a year.
This will include 19 days more over 40 degrees a year, up to 39.
By 2050, Grey will already see 87 days annually over 35, an increase of 19 from now.
Grey includes the majority of SA outside of Adelaide, including Port Lincoln, Whyalla, Port Augusta (pictured), and Port Pirie, and its south border touches the Barossa Valley.
10. O'Connor, Western Australia: 28 more days over 35 degrees
O'Connor in Western Australia is set to experience 98 sweltering days over 35 by 2090 – an increase of 28 from current levels – as well as 39 days over 40.
By 2050, it will have 90 days a year over 35 degrees, an additional 20 days from now.
O'Connor spans a broad area across the state's south, including Albany, Kalgoorlie, and Esperance.
9. Parkes, NSW: 32 more days over 35 degrees
The NSW electorate of Parkes - physically the largest in the state - will sweat through an additional 32 days over 35 by 2090, for a total of 87 annually.
It covers Broken Hill, Dubbo, Forbes and Parkes, and is one of the state's poorer electorates.
The area will also see 21 days a year over 40 degrees by 2050, and 27 by 2090.
8. Flynn, Queensland: 38 more days above 35 degrees
Flynn in south-east Queensland, a predominantly rural area, will have 69 days a year above 35 degrees by 2090, an increase of 38.
It includes towns such as Biloela and Emerald, and swaths of farming land.
7. Capricornia, Queensland: 40 more days above 35 degrees
Capricornia, which borders Flynn, will have 40 more days above 35 degrees by 2090, adding up to 77 days a year.
Home to the picturesque beach town Yeppoon, it also contains vast amounts of native forest.
6. Maranoa, Queensland: 43 more days above 35 degrees
Maranoa is Queensland's largest electorate, spanning towns including Roma, Surat and Mitchell.
Its temperatures are forecast to reach over 35 degrees for 134 days a year in 2090, an increase of 43 from today's figures.
In 2050, the electorate will have 120 days when the mercury passes 35.
5. Durack, Western Australia: 48 more days above 35 degrees
Covering all of northern Western Australia, Durack is the largest electorate in the whole of the country, reaching from the coast to central Australia.
Its landscapes vary, from tropical coastal towns like Broome to desert.
Durack will have 172 days a year above 35 degrees by 2050 and 186 days by 2090, increases of 34 and 48 respectively.
That means the electorate will experience temperatures of above 35 degrees for around half the year in 25 years' time.
4. Leichhardt, Queensland: 54 more days above 35 degrees
Home to tropical paradises like Cairns and Port Douglas, Leichhardt in Far-North Queensland is getting hotter.
It will have 98 days above 35 degrees by 2090, an increase of 54.
By 2050, places like Cairns will already be feeling the heat, with 78 days a year above 35 degrees.
=2. Kennedy, Queensland: 57 more days above 35 degrees
The seat of Kennedy in north Queensland is home to small towns like Ingham and Innisfail, and tropical banana and mango crops.
The electorate is set to sweat through 167 days above 35 degrees by 2090 and 146 days above 35 degrees by 2050 – increases of 57 and 36 respectively.
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