Australians are suffering a brutal post-Christmas heatwave, with temperatures in most parts of the country’s southeast up to 14 degrees Celsius (24 degrees Fahrenheit) higher than the average for this time of year.Warnings for
Some areas of the states of New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia had temperatures above 40 C (104 F) on Thursday — for the fourth day in a row.
Warnings for “extreme and severe” fires have been issued for parts of South Australia, Victoria and Western Australia, according to the Australian Bureau of Meteorology.
January is typically the hottest month of the Australian summer, and many fear the early heatwave may be the prelude to even more extreme weather in early 2019.