Australia's historic heatwave continues as temperatures stay above 40C

Australia’s historic heatwave has continued to scorch the country as temperatures soar above 40C.

Canberra reached 40 degrees for the fourth day in a row on Friday for the first time since records began.

Temperatures on the southern coast are up to 14C above average, while the Bureau of Meteorology warned of severe fire dangers in parts of the country as the weather stayed dry and hot.

The overnight heat record was broken twice on Thursday night, with two weather stations recording temperatures of almost 36C.

Senior meteorologist Diana Eadie said: “Severe heatwave conditions are continuing today over a large part of New South Wales, extending into South Australia, Queensland and the Northern Territory.

“The temperature in Noona in NSW only dropped to 35.9 degrees last night, an all-time minimum temperature record for Australia.

“Broad areas will exceed 42 degrees today, continuing a trend that started on Monday.

“Canberra is forecast to reach 40 degrees today for the fourth day in a row, something that hasn't been observed since 1939 when records began.

“A trough is expected to move over southern and central Australia today. A fresh and gusty wind change and the potential for dry lightning will accompany the trough, increasing fire dangers over parts of New South Wales.

“Severe fire dangers are expected over Southern Slopes and Ranges, with very high fire dangers elsewhere. A fire weather warning is current.

“A cool change will provide relief to southern and central parts during the weekend, however hot temperatures will continue over central eastern Australia.

“Severe heatwave conditions are expected to develop over Western Australia this weekend with areas about the southern coast experiencing up to 14 degrees above the average.

“This heat will spread into South Australia on Tuesday and Wednesday, before returning to the southeast mid to late week.”

Earlier this week, a pub worker left a steak in his car for five hours and returned to find it well done.