Back-to-back 48C days for Onslow

PERTH set for a scorching Saturday maximum of 43C while parts of the Pilbara town may push past 50C tomorrow.

IT didn't quite reach 50C but it's unlikely the good folk of Learmonth and Onslow really noticed the difference as the mercury maxed at over 48C.

While those in WA's north roast, it will soon be Perth's turn, with the latest forecast indicating that temperatures will hit 44C on Saturday.

The Pilbara's mega heatwave continued today - at Onslow Airport, almost 1400km north of Perth, the temperature reached 48.2C at about 12.30pm.

Learmonth Airport, near Exmouth and about 1250km north of Perth, was fractionally behind, recording a high of 48.1 just before 2.30pm.

The Bureau of Meteorology has been unable to obtain information from Emu Creek, where it was forecast to reach 49C and may get as high as 50C today.

Onslow has roasted through two of its hottest days on record, with temperatures soaring to 48.7C yesterday, closely followed by today's 48.2C.

It's expected to be slightly cooler in the mining town tomorrow, with a predicted top of 40C.

Learmonth's high today easily eclipsed its two recent 46C days and Monday and again yesterday.

Temperatures higher than 50C have been documented three times in Australia since records began over a century ago.

Mardie was the most recent to reach the level, in 1998, failing to beat the record set in the South Australian outback town of Oodnadatta on January 2, 1960, which reached 50.7C.

That record was threatened just last week during a heatwave in outback South Australia.

Matilda Branson and Matt Andrews being sunsmart on Perth beaches. Picture: Justin Benson-Cooper Source: News Limited

Soaring temperatures in the west follow an unprecedented new-year heatwave in which 34 locations - mostly in Queensland and NSW and with at least 40 years of data - recording their hottest-ever days between December 30 and January 4.

Queensland recorded its hottest day on January 2, with a statewide average maximum of 41.82C.

Narrabri in NSW broke the record high temperature by 3.6 degrees - the largest margin by which a long-term record has been topped.

And cities and towns including Tamworth, Gunnedah, Moree, Glen Innes and Inverell in NSW, and Toowoomba, Roma, Blackall, St George and Gympie in Queensland all experienced their hottest-ever days.

The heat in the Pilbara is caused by the super-heated air mass that hit the east coast earlier in the month, and which has circled the continent since forming over the Nullarbor in late December.

The bureau's Annual Climate Statement from 2013 confirmed last year was Australia's hottest on record.

"The year was remarkable for the large number of heat-related records that were set," said Climate Councillor Professor Will Steffen.

"The country experienced the hottest summer and warmest spring on record, the hottest January and warmest September on record and the hottest summer day and warmest winter day on record."

Lifesavers patrol the beach. Surf Life Saving WA are urging people tom take care on Saturday when temperatures are expected to reach 44C. Source: News Limited

'Crucial' that Perth beachgoers take extra care

In Perth, where temperatures are expected to reach 44C on Saturday, Surf Life Saving WA is expecting beaches to be packed, and is urging people to take extra care.

It has been a busy start to the Surf Life Saving season since patrols began in October, with 696 rescues, 1207 first-aid treatments and an additional 5827 actions taken to prevent incidents.

There have also been four coastal drowning deaths at unpatrolled spots.

Surf Life Saving WA community safety manager Chris Peck said it was crucial that beach-goers swam between the red and yellow flags, and followed the advice of lifesavers.

He said people also needed to be ``beach safe'' by supervising children, having aquatic skills, knowing first aid and CPR, and using appropriate safety gear and planning for emergencies.

"It is also vital that in hot conditions beach-goers regularly apply sunscreen, keep hydrated and remember that consumption of alcohol impairs physical responses and decision-making processes, and anyone that has consumed alcohol should not enter the water,'' Mr Peck said.

All major Perth beaches will be patrolled by Surf Life Saving services and Wesfarmers Lifesaver Jet-Ski teams over the weekend, as well as aerial surveillance between Yanchep and Mandurah by the Westpac Lifesaver Helicopter.

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