While coastal cities in south-east Australia enjoy a temporary break from unprecedented temperatures, the heatwave relentlessly persists across the inland areas.

Residents of Renmark in South Australia’s Riverland region endured an all-time high on Tuesday, with the mercury soaring to 49.6°C. Meanwhile, Victoria witnessed its own heat milestone as Walpeup, located in the state’s north, recorded a scorching 48.9°C.

Although many parts of Victoria can expect cooler weather on Wednesday, the suffocating heatwave continues unabated in the inland regions.

According to senior meteorologist Dean Narramore, the hot air mass is moving into north-west New South Wales and Queensland, maintaining extreme fire risks and blistering temperatures.

The regional city of Mildura in Victoria’s Mallee district will not find respite, as temperatures are predicted to linger in the 40°C range through at least Sunday.

“We are expecting another four days of above 40 degree temperatures and overnight temperatures in the mid-20s in the north of the state,” emergency management commissioner Tim Wiebusch said.

An extreme heatwave warning remains in place for several regions on Wednesday, including the Mallee, Wimmera, Northern Country, East Gippsland, West and South Gippsland and North Central regions.

Heatwave warnings

Victorian chief health officer Caroline McElnay said severe heatwave conditions are dangerous for many vulnerable people in the community.

“It can cause potentially fatal health problems such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke, but it can also trigger events like heart attacks or stroke,” McElnay told reporters on Tuesday.

“Please take steps to protect yourself and others by keeping cool. Stay hydrated. Plan ahead to avoid the heat and check in with others.”

Melburnians will experience a top of 24C on Wednesday, while residents living in Adelaide will see a high of 30C.

Record breaking heat

It’s a far cry from conditions experienced just 24 hours earlier, with Melbourne recording a top of 42C, a few degrees short of its record high of 46.4C set on 7 February 2009.

Mildura hit a top of 48.6C, marking its hottest day on record, while the nearby towns of Hopetoun and Ouyen climbed to a scorching 48.9C.

Records were broken on Monday in Adelaide where the temperature reached 44.7C, exceeding the city’s previous Australia Day heat record set in 2006.

Ceduna, northwest of the SA capital, climbed to 49C, surpassing its previous record, while NSW town Dubbo reached 46.1C to record its hottest January day.

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