Australian Outback warned to brace for record-breaking heatwave

CANBERRA -- Central Australia has been warned to prepare for potentially record-breaking temperatures.

With much of Australia set to experience sweltering heat in the lead-up to Christmas on December 25, the Bureau of Meteorology on Wednesday warned that temperature records could tumble in the nation's arid center, which is otherwise known as the Outback.

"We could see temperatures of up to 45 degrees Celsius (C) and possibly a new record in Alice Springs," senior forecaster Angeline Prasad told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

"Alice Springs's record temperature is currently 45.6C.

"Temperatures in Alice Springs over the next week are forecast for 44C, 44C, 41C, 42C, 43C, 43C and 45C," she said.

A similar warning has been issued for South Australia where soaring temperatures have increased pressure on the hospital system.

According to research published by Adelaide University on Wednesday, high-intensity heatwaves result in a 15 percent increase in ambulance callouts in the state.

"As silent killers, heatwaves kill more people than any other natural disasters," lead author Peng Bi told News Corp Australia.

Prasad said that a number of temperature records have already been broken in the Northern Territory with Darwin having recorded its longest streak of days of 35C or more with 11.

Darwin has also broken its record for the most number of days exceeding 35C in a single year with 35 so far in 2019.

Prasad said that relief from the heat was unlikely before Christmas.

"This Christmas we are looking at a hot Christmas," she said.

"We are looking at very hot days and the nights will be very warm," she added.