Heat to Blast Southern Australia

By Evan Duffey, Meteorologist

January 5,2013; 4:14PM,EST

A heat wave is impact South Australia and New South Wales, bring stifling heat to the region, potentially threatening the continent's all time record.
Heat has been slowly migrating east across Australia over the past couple of days and has been intensifying, bringing dangerous conditions across in its path.
Over the coming days the heat is expected to peak and begin to impact major populations. in the south and southwest.
The all time record high for the continent was set in Oodnadatta, with a temperatures of 50.7 degrees C (123.3 degrees F). This record may fall though over the next couple of days. At the very least, temperatures could peak over the 50 degrees C mark.
Luckily for coastal locations, the heat is not expected to be as bad, at least in the near term. The ocean is expected to moderate temperatures there. Still, large population centers away from the coast, like Canberra will not be spared.
As early as Monday, the heat could shift to the coastal cities as the winds blast the heat towards the coast from the interior. the populated southeast coast, most notably Sydney, should skyrocket into the 30s. For that region the heat should relent by Tuesday.
For the Queensland coast, the heat will wait until Wednesday to reach exceptional levels. Luckily again the blast will be brief, dropping back off again on Thursday.
As always, the best way to beat the heat is to stay out of the sun and well hydrated, and in air conditioning when possible. If you must go out in the sun, sunscreen and clothing the covers the skin will provide the best protection.