Temperatures have been broken or nearing record highs in Australia’s southern half recently but the good news is there’s no drought being declared.

The latest heatwave came on top of prolonged dry conditions in south-eastern Australia.

Although rainfall has been scarce, there is healthy water storages in waters and dams and it has not been dry for long enough to be considered a drought.

The news long term isn’t quite so promising with solid rainfalls not expected for months because of the time of the year.

Temperatures have been above 40 degrees during the last week in Adeaide, Melbourne and Hobart which broke the old record.

fires have been the headlines in Tasmainia with scorching temperatures.

On the island, at least 100 properties have been destroyed, a large number in the small community of Dunalley, east of Hobart, where the police station and school were burned down.

Some residents had to dive into a canal in the centre of the town to protect themselves against a wall of flame.

Reports have also come in to say that of flames  were nine metres high, and trees that looked like firecrackers.

The main road to the Tasman Peninsula, south-east of Hobart, has been cut off, stranding thousands of people, many of them tourists in the historic site of Port Arthur.

Some people sought refuge on the beaches

This week doesn’t appear quite so oppressive however 40 degrees could be hit yet again tomorrow in Adelaide and also in northern areas of  both South Australia and Victoria.

NZ today

Murchison scored 34 degrees today and New Plymouth and Masterton were also hot on 31 degrees.

Dunedin was 34 yesterday and today came crashing back down to earth with 17 degrees.

Main centre highs today were…

Auckland 27

Tauranga 26

Hamilton 29

Wellington 28

Christchurch 23

Dunedin 17

Home image of fire buring over southern Oz

WeatherWatch.co.nz