Summer In An Aussie City: 34C At Midnight

While the big freeze hits Britain (and Ireland), Australians are doing all they can to keep cool - after a heatwave pushed midnight temperatures to a record 34C.

People in Melbourne hit the beach after dark as the southern city experienced its hottest night in more than 100 years.

By 6am on Tuesday the mercury had not moved much, dropping only to 32C.

The overnight temperatures equalled the record of February 1, 1902.

"It's probably the most uncomfortable night I've ever had Down Under," said British ex-pat Andrew Jefferson, who now lives in Ballarat, west of Melbourne.

During the day, temperatures soared to 43C (109F).

A cool change was forecast for Wednesday and the summer nights were expected to get down to a balmy 17C.

Tennis stars in town preparing for the Australian Open have also been feeling the heat.

Andy Murray has been applying much-needed sunscreen at training, after getting sunburnt last week.

A message posted on his Twitter page says: "7.30 in the evening here and its 39 degrees. Hitting in 43 degrees is interesting..."

Locals experienced the same sort of problems that affected thousands of Britons last week, with rail services disrupted and homes left without power.

Electricity companies' equipment failed in the oppressive heat, leaving more than 30,000 customers in the dark and without air conditioning.

Sweaty commuters were left stranded after hundreds of trains were delayed or cancelled on Monday.

Rail officials blamed faulty air conditioners, train breakdowns and sagging power lines.

The heat also means an increased threat of bushfires, with three southern states under "catastrophic" level warnings.


Thought you'd all like to know that!

Yea that looks crazy

the tv news this evening showed people kipping on the beaches to keep cool, they were going for a swim before going for a kip