Adelaide streets are deserted as the city sizzles at 47C - and the horror heatwave is coming to Sydney next
- The South Australian state capital recorded its highest-ever temperature
- West Terrace in Adelaide's city centre reached sweltering 46.6C on Thursday
- Temperatures in the state were as much as 22C higher than the average
Adelaide's record-breaking heatwave has left the city's streets deserted, as South Australians stay away from the CBD in droves during the sweltering conditions.
The state capital recorded its highest-ever temperature of 46.6C on Thursday, breaking a record that had stood for almost a century.
Streets were almost completely empty as people sought the relief of air-conditioned buildings or relaxing at the beach rather than exposing themselves to the sweltering conditions.
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Adelaide's record-breaking heatwave has left the city's streets deserted, as South Australians stay away from the CBD in droves during the sweltering conditions
The state capital recorded its highest-ever temperature of 46.6C on Thursday, breaking a record that had stood for almost a century. (Pictured: Rundle Mall)
Streets were empty as people sought the relief of air-conditioned buildings or relaxing at the beach rather than exposing themselves to the sweltering conditions. Pictured: Rundle Mall
West Terrace in the city centre broke the record high of 46.1C recorded in 1939.
Temperatures in South Australia a sweltering 22C higher than average in some parts of the state. Port Augusta was the hottest town with the mercury hitting 49.5C. Yesterday was the fourth-hottest day ever in South Australia.
Some Adelaide residents noticed there were fewer people making their way towards the city on Thursday.
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'I could see why there's less people in the train going to work. It's unfair to work on a 43-45 degree weather in Adelaide,' one person tweeted.
While a much-needed cool change had swept through Adelaide, resulting in milder temperatures on Friday, the heatwave made its way across Australia and was set to bake Victoria and New South Wales.
Melbourne's forecast high temperature for Friday was 44C; the hottest since the devastating Black Saturday bushfires of 2009.
Temperatures in South Australia were as much as 22C higher than average in some parts of the state
Adelaide sweltered through a record-high temperature on Thursday during a scorching heatwave
The heat has strained Victoria's energy supplies, leaving about 8000 people without power.
Victorian Energy Minister Lily D'Ambrosio said people should monitor their non-essential use of electricity.
Dishwashers, kitchen appliances, washing machines and pool pumps should all be turned off, she said.
A state-wide fire ban remained in place for Victoria on Friday.
People have been advised to limit their electricity use as the heat puts a strain on power supplies
Adelaide streets were mostly deserted during Thursday's roasting-hot weather
The heatwave will make its way to Sydney this weekend, with temperatures of more than 40C forecast for Australia Day on Saturday.
In the city's west, Penrith will have a high of 42C, while the NSW Riverina region will hit a scorching 48C on Friday.
The high temperatures will be caused by hot air making its way across Australia from the northern part of the country.
The heatwave is set to make its way across Victoria and New South Wales during Australia Day weekend
The heatwave will make its way to Sydney this weekend, with temperatures of more than 40C forecast for Australia Day on Saturday
In the city's west, Penrith will have a high of 42C, while the NSW Riverina region will hit a scorching 48C on Friday
Meanwhile in Queensland, a tropical low over the state's far north is expected to intensify into a cyclone and head south.
The strengthening weather system is sitting over Cape York Peninsula and is forecast develop throughout Friday, the Bureau of Meteorology says.
The system was about 125km west of Weipa in the Gulf of Carpentaria and extends north across the peninsula.
The heatwave has been caused by hot air making its way across Australia from the northern part of the country
The heat has strained Victoria's energy supplies, leaving about 8000 people without power
The low has a greater than 50 per cent chance of becoming a cyclone by Saturday, with far northern communities warned to expect heavy rain that could cause flash flooding during Friday.
Wind gusts of 90km/h are possible.
Communities from just north of Cairns to Pormpuraaw and further north, on the Gulf of Carpentaria, were under a severe weather warning, along with the Torres Strait.
A flood watch was in place for major catchments in the region, with 6-hour rainfall totals in excess of 150mm possible.
