Adelaide could break its 75-year-record for its hottest day – a searing 46.1C in January 1939 – after its warmest night in five years.

The mercury only dropped to 29.9C just before 6:30am, with the temperature still above 35C at 2:00am.

Acting regional director at the Bureau of Meteorology, John Nairne, says a new record high for the city is not out of reach.

“The trick with the heatwave is the high minimum we’ve come off overnight,” he said.

“In Adelaide we came off a temp of 30 degrees this morning so we get to the high temps quicker and have to endure them for longer during the day.”

The bureau says a forecast mild change will arrive later than expected, with a fifth day in the 40s likely tomorrow.

Adelaide could be the hottest city on earth today, according to reports, and the temperature has already climbed above 40 degrees Celsius for the fourth day in a row

Hospital admissions rise as people seek relief

The number of people being treated for heat stress has steadily increased this week.

Janice Fletcher from the Australian Medical Association says fatigue and irritability are commonplace, as people struggle for relief.

“People are probably tired and getting sick of it. It depends on if they can get sleep, how they feel when they wake up,” she said.

Rolling blackout warning as grid battles heat stress

Electricity distributors have warned of possible rolling blackouts if the pressure on the electricity grid reaches boiling point.

The Government has confirmed power could be switched off to suburbs to prevent a system meltdown, as air-conditioners kick into overdrive.

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Temperature difference from normal as simulated by the GFS model for Wednesday (WeatherBell.com)

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