Parts of Western Australia are set to reach oppressive temperatures over the coming days, with some areas to reach more then 50 degrees.
Easterly winds will bring high temperatures to the western Gascoyne and Pilbara regions this weekend due to a west coast trough, according to Weatherzone.
The heat is expected to linger for several days with the peak expected on Sunday as the trough moves westward, bringing intense inland heat closer to the coastal low-lying areas.
The sparse network of automatic weather stations in the region will mean the day’s peak heat is unlikely to be officially recorded.
Carnarvon’s weather station is located too close to the coast to be exposed to the intense heat that will be felt a few kilometres further inland this Sunday.
Gascoyne Junction’s weather station is much further inland, but at a 144-metre elevation, it will be too high to experience the day’s hottest weather.
Australia’s highest official temperature on record is 50.7 degrees from Onslow on January 13, 2022, and Oodnadatta on January 2, 1960.