Adelaide sets temperature record

Adelaide has set a record for the number of summer days with a maximum temperature of more than 40 degrees.

The city hit 40.9C at 1.57pm (CDT) on Tuesday, making it the 12th day this summer when the mercury topped 40C, breaking a 117-year-old record.

On 10 of the 12 days - one in December, six in January and three in February - the temperature was more than 42C.

South Australia's State Emergency Service issued an extreme heat warning for Tuesday, saying the conditions posed a risk to public safety.

Adelaide's temperature is expected to keep rising on Tuesday, and is predicted to be 42C on Wednesday.