Record smashed as Perth swelters through fourth day of fierce heat

Perth has had a taste of summer at the end of spring, sizzling through record-breaking heat.

By 10am Saturday, the temperature had already hit 30 degrees, jumping another three an hour later.

By midday, the mercury was hovering around 37 degrees, rising even further to 40.4 by 1.20pm.

Temperatures smashed our previous November record by 0.1 of a degree, set in 1913 and matched again in 2003.

The Pearce RAAF base even hit a scorching 42.5 degrees, beating its former record of 41.6.

It marks the fourth day in a row that the mercury has risen above 35 degrees.

Families cooled off whatever way they could, with Elizabeth Quay and Hyde Park proving a popular choice.

All of Perth's popular beaches were packed as locals and visitors lapped up the warm weather.

The hot streak is set to end Sunday, when the mercury drops to a much cooler 28 degrees.