Abnormal Heat in Australia: Temperatures Approached 50°C 0 9

Temperature Record in Victoria

Abnormal heat continues in Australia, affecting several states. On Tuesday, a new temperature maximum was recorded in the remote coastal areas of Victoria — in the towns of Hopetown and Walpap — reaching 48.9 degrees Celsius.

The previous record had stood since 2009, when devastating fires shook the country, claiming the lives of 173 people. Currently, there are no reports of casualties, but authorities confirm that wildfires have already erupted in three areas, and firefighters are struggling to bring them under control.

Melbourne Under the Scorching Sun

The situation is also challenging in the largest city of the state — coastal Melbourne. On Monday, about 50,000 people attended the Australian Open tennis matches, but by Tuesday, due to the extreme heat, the number of spectators dropped to 21,000.

One fan shared how spectators are trying to cope with the heat:

"Make sure you have sunscreen, hats, and water bottles. Watch out for dehydration — there are many stations where you can refill your bottle and maintain your hydration."

Organizers declared a maximum level of heat danger. Several matches had to be postponed, and stadium roofs — where possible — were closed to protect players and spectators.

On Wednesday, there was a slight decrease in temperature in the region, but the heat will continue until the end of the week.

This is one of the hottest summer periods in Australia's history. A few weeks ago, extreme temperatures were already recorded in the country.

Not only Victoria is suffering from the heat: some areas of Queensland and New South Wales are also experiencing powerful heatwaves.