With an average temperature across the country on 40,9 was a heat record turned Down Under on Tuesday.

Australia had on Tuesday, its hottest day ever recorded with an average temperature across the country at 40,9 degrees.

It informs Australia's meteorological department on Wednesday.

The previous record was of 40,3 degrees. It was set 7. January 2013.

Tuesday's record, however, will hardly last long, writes the australian ABC News.

Thus, it is expected the heat wave to intensify in the course of the next few days, when luftmassen moving into the country.

Thursday and Friday is expected the temperature in the small, remote town of Oodnadatta in the state of South Australia to reach 47 degrees before it drops slightly to 45 degrees Saturday.

Meanwhile, are expected to be even hotter in the small village of Oak Valley in South Australia's outback. Here, according to the forecasts, up to 49 degrees Thursday.

the Heat rumble on, while Australia is struggling with drought and extensive forest fires.

Tuesday warned australian firefighters that they will not be able to keep the over 100 active fires in the state of New South Wales under control, when the weather conditions this week to deteriorate.

People should be under no illusions that we will be able to keep the fires at bay, when the weather conditions worsen this week, said vicebrandkommissær Rob Rogers for the tv station Channel 9.

People should prepare themselves for what could potentially wait in these (member, ed.) areas.

the Fire department is struggling to extinguish 125 fires in New South Wales, Australia's most populated state, and where the city of Sydney is.

Since november is 12,000 square kilometres of nature have been consumed by the flames. Six persons lost their lives and more than 700 homes have been destroyed.

While many bushbrande rages, prime minister Scott Morrison has been criticised for its response to the fires and lack of initiatives against climate change.

/ritzau/