Adelaide is closing in on its all-time temperature record as South Australia continues to sizzle through a week-long heatwave.
The city is forecast to have a top of 46C on Thursday, perilously close to the record of 46.1C set on January 12, 1939.
On Tuesday the mercury reached 45.1C while on Wednesday it rose to 43.7C, the third of a forecast five days of 40C or more.
Bureau of Meteorology acting regional director John Nairn said cloud cover had prevented Adelaide reaching its forecast top of 45C on Wednesday but that wasn't likely to be the case on Thursday.
Mr Nairn said more northerly winds meant the city would have no trouble reaching the 46C forecast, so the record could tumble.
"We're within cooee. I'm sure everyone will be watching," he said.
The hottest spot in SA on Wednesday was Roseworthy, just north of Adelaide, where the mercury hit 46C.
It also reached 45.2 at Port Augusta, 45.1C at Ceduna and 45C at Snowtown.
The SA Ambulance Service said the heatwave had resulted in a 15 per cent increase in calls compared to the same period last year.
While SA Health reported 46 heat-related admissions to hospitals across the state on Tuesday following 24 on Monday.
There were no reports of any deaths linked directly to the heat.
Power regulators warned of possible rolling blackouts as the heatwave put intense demand on electricity networks.
Homes and businesses could lose power for 30 minutes at a time with blackouts to roll across Adelaide's suburbs and country areas according to a pre-determined schedule.
The Australian Energy Market Operator said both Victoria and SA had recorded their highest electricity consumption since 2009.
Demand in Victoria hit 10,151 megawatts on Tuesday and 3046 in SA.
Share
