Australia sweats through scorching heat wave as thousands flock to beaches!

SYDNEY, Australia (PNN) - November 28, 2020 - Australia is currently the hottest country in the world, taking all of the top ten spots for global towns and cities in the last 24 hours.

Moomba Airport in South Australia was the hottest place in the country on Saturday reaching a high of 46.6C (116F).

Birdsville Airport in Queensland wasn’t far behind at 46.5C and Nullarbor, also in SA, saw a maximum of 46.4C.

The remaining seven hottest places in the world on Saturday were all in Australia.

The heat wave is thanks to a low pressure system spreading from SA through western New South Wales and northern Victoria.

It hit NSW with vigor on Saturday morning, including Sydney.

The Harbour City was initially forecast to reach a maximum of 39C on Saturday but reached just over 40C (104F), making it the hottest Australian capital city.

Residents headed to the beach in huge crowds that have not been seen since before the start of the COVID-19 “pandemic”.

Fearing another wave of infection, NSW Health urged people to socially distance at the beach, swim, and immediately leave or stay home altogether.

Despite this, Bondi and Clovelly Beaches in Sydney’s east and Manly Beach in the city’s north were packed with people looking to make the most of the heat.

Judging by the placement of towels, most people appeared to be socially distanced.

Meanwhile, Newcastle and Gosford both reached highs of 38C (100F) while Wollongong also felt the heat with a maximum of a relatively cool 35C (95F).

Bureau of Meteorology forecaster Jonathan How said the heat wave will “impact millions of people and create dangerous fire weather conditions for multiple states.”

Fire weather warnings have been now been issued for NSW, Victoria, SA and Western Australia.

In addition to causing bushfires, How warned the heat wave itself will be “a huge silent killer” as it causes hyperthermia, dehydration and skin cancer.

“The hot days and warm nights will make it difficult to recover, especially for vulnerable people,” How said.

“People are hospitalized and it’s really dangerous so it’s important to take note of the heat and be careful. Heat waves are normal for this time of year but the temperatures and duration of this event will be exceptional.”

Heat waves have killed more people than cyclones, flooding and bushfires combined in Australia in the last 100 years, making it the country’s biggest killer.

Adelaide is not far behind Sydney with a maximum of 37C (99F) on Saturday - but rain developing in the late afternoon may provide some reprieve.

“On Saturday, severe to extreme fire dangers will continue in South Australia and extend into Northern Victoria and in parts of NSW,” How said. “On Sunday, very high to severe fire dangers are forecast for eastern NSW and southeast Queensland. People should also be aware of severe heat wave conditions over inland parts, reaching the coast over the weekend and intensifying to extreme levels for northeast NSW and southeast Queensland into next week.”

Brisbane and southeast Queensland will be the last to feel the heat wave, which will not be as strong by the time it reaches the Sunshine State.

“The vigorous southerly wind change won’t make it all the way up the coast. There is the risk of thunderstorms with dry lightning on the change, which could ignite new fires,” said How. “Sweltering conditions will persist through northeast NSW and southeast Queensland into next week, with little relief until Thursday.”