A significant heatwave affected central and eastern interior of Australia over the New Year period with substantial areas having their hottest day on record, and it’s not over yet – the heatwave continues to scorch parts of Queensland. The first stage of the heatwave set record high temperatures for December at Eucla and Forrest near the Western Australia-South Australia border, before the hottest air moved slowly eastwards and absorbed the remnant circulation of Tropical Cyclone Christine. Walgett in NSW reached 49.1C while Narrabri reached 47.8C, breaking its hottest ever record by 3.6 degrees. The heatwave retreated to central Queensland on 5th January where it continues. Senior climatolgist Blair Trewin discusses the Bureau of Meteorology’s report with Fiona Ellis-Jones. Read the Bureau of Meteorology’s full report“