Authorities estimate that Australia has just sweltered through at least five of its ten warmest days on record.

According to findings, an extreme heat wave has afflicted the nation since Saturday last week, causing wildlife deaths, bushfires and an increase in hospital admissions.

Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology said preliminary readings showed daily national temperature highs of forty centigrade.

The town of Noona in New South Wales meanwhile recorded a night-time temperature of thirty- five point nine centigrade .

The Bureau of meteorology said it was the highest minimum temperature ever recorded anywhere in Australia.

Forecasters have compared conditions to the nation’s worst heatwave in 2013, where the mercury soared to thirty- nine centigrade for seven consecutive days.

The hottest day on record for Australia is seven January 2013, when the national average maximum temperature was forty point three centigrade.

A senior meteorologist, Mr. Blair Trewin, said the current heatwave ranks alongside that of January 2013 as the most extensive and prolonged heatwave on record over Australia.

A large swathe of New South Wales is bearing the brunt of the heat, with temperatures also soaring in parts of Queensland, South Australia, Victoria and the Northern Territory.
Temperatures are expected to drop in southern and central areas over the weekend.