If you’re not living in south-eastern Australia, you might not be aware that we’re currently experiencing an incredible heatwave.  The Bureau of Meteorology has said this could be Melbourne’s hottest week since 1908.

Four days over 40 degrees is starting to take its toll.  The highest temperature today in Melbourne was 44.9 (in the suburb of Moorabbin, just 30 minutes from the city), which is 113 degrees Fahrenheit for those of you with metricophobia.

The forecast for Melbourne tomorrow is 43 and “mostly sunny”.

Up to 150,000 homes were without power today as the Bass Link supply cable between Victoria and Tasmania became overloaded, and electricity providers began “load shedding”, according to the ABC.

Bushfires are threatening homes in Victoria’s Gippsland region, as well as closer to Melbourne in suburbs like Carrum Downs and Langwarrin.

Melbourne’s suburban and country rail networks have been feeling the heat too.  Rails have warped in the high temperatures and hundreds of train services have been cancelled.  All Connex could hope to do yesterday was appease angry customers by handing out free icypoles.

Stay cool.  Drink lots of water.  Look after your pets.

And tell your boss that Dr Ron said you could have the day off.

Useful links

Connex Melbourne: http://www.connexmelbourne.com.au/

Country Fire Authority: http://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/

Bureau of Meteorology: http://www.bom.gov.au/

The Weather: http://www.abc.net.au/news/weather/

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