Millions of people across south-eastern Australia are being warned to expect sweltering temperatures later this week.
The mercury is forecast to climb to the mid-30s or higher in capital cities, with the extreme conditions likely to strain electricity supplies, reports Weatherzone.
Victoria, south-western New South Wales and parts of Tasmania and South Australia are in for a spell of hot days and warm nights from Thursday.
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Temperatures in some capitals are forecast to jump by six to 12 degrees above average in coming days.
Depending on cloud cover, the mercury in Melbourne will rise to 34 degrees on Friday and 33 degrees into Saturday.
Residents in Adelaide should expect a run of hot and humid weather from tomorrow’s maximum of 29 degrees in the city before the mercury soars to 37 degrees on Friday.
Sydney is heading for a pleasanter maximum temperature of 25 degrees on Friday, with a forecast weekend top of 27 degrees.
Nights in Melbourne and Adelaide are also forecast to be an uncomfortable minimum of 22 degrees.
Friday’s extreme conditions in Victoria and South Australia could place strains on energy supplies in those states if demand jumps.
Relief from the hot weather is forecast by early next week when temperatures fall to below 30 degrees as a trough of cooler air sweeps across south-eastern parts of Australia.