Historic heatwave expected to break records in NSW and Queensland with temperatures over 45C in regional towns

Bushfires still burning out of control in Victoria after state’s maximum daily temperature of 48.9C broke records on Tuesday

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Parts of New South Wales and south-western Queensland could be on track for more record setting temperatures on Wednesday as a heatwave that has gripped south-eastern Australia persists.

By midday the temperature in Wilcannia, in NSW’s west, was 45.4C, with a forecast maximum of 48C, while in Bourke, the mercury had climbed to 41.3C with a forecast top of 47C.