Australia in Code Red: heat wave reaches 48,9 degrees

The fierce heat in large parts of Australia have got the authorities to go over in a so-called 'Code Red.'

In Port Augusta in south Australia was there in the daytime on Tuesday measured up to 48,9 degrees.

the heat wave is expected to continue and in the coming days, writes several international media.

Several places in Australia has in recent days been beaten heat records.

In New South Wales is the maximum temperature so 8-12 degrees above average.

Temperature of 48,9 degrees in Port Augusta is also the highest ever recorded in the city since 1962.

According to the australian meteorologists will the heat likely to reach its climax between Tuesday and Friday in south Australia, Victoria and New South Wales.

- It is a quite unique heatwave. We expect that there will be set a number of records in these places - when it comes to both maximum and minimum temperatures, said meteorologist Dean Sgarbossa to The Guardian.

A 'Code Red' means in practice, that the organization increases their efforts for the most vulnerable in society. Among others, there will be daily phone calls to particularly vulnerable persons in order to ensure that all is well with them. Organizations that help the homeless, will extend their opening hours.

Our own tennis darling Caroline Wozniacki has also been the intense heat feeling during the Australian Open. German Andrea Petkovic had to retire after being sent for the count because of the heat and the high humidity.

A cool sea breeze, however, kept the temperature in Melbourne down around the 35 degrees.

Here cools Caroline down during the Australian Open last year. Photo: William West/AFP

Monday snuck the temperature, however, up to 37 degrees.

Forecasters expect temperatures around 40 degrees in the forstadsbyerne to Melbourne in the coming days.