Australia is enduring a fierce heatwave with temperatures soaring as high as 50°C in Andamooka, South Australia. This is only the eighth time such extreme heat has been recorded in the country. Meteorologists describe this as a "dome of heat" stretching from western to south-eastern Australia with no cold front relief. About 50 weather stations reported their highest temperatures recently, including 48.9°C in Victoria’s Mallee towns of Hopetoun and Walpeup, and 49.7°C in NSW’s Pooncarie. Interestingly, ski fields that usually have cool January days above 18°C reached over 30°C for the first time, with Falls Creek at 30.5°C and Perisher Valley at 30.8°C. Adelaide endured a record night temperature of 34.1°C after a day hitting 44.7°C. The heatwave has lasted more than five days in many inland towns, with places like Maree in SA and Wilcannia in NSW experiencing three days above 48°C. Dr Simon Grainger, a senior climatologist, calls this heatwave one of the most significant in intensity and duration in southeast Australia. Health officials warn of the serious risks: "Even while you’re asleep, extreme overnight heat can be dangerous," said Victoria’s Chief Health Officer Dr Caroline McElnay. Emergency hospital admissions in Adelaide have tripled compared to last January. The heat also worsens air quality, especially with smoke from nearby fires in the Otways affecting Melbourne. Sports events, such as the Australian Open tennis, continue under extreme heat protocols. Some outer court matches were stopped, and crowd numbers dropped, potentially costing the tournament $1 million in revenue. Cycling's Tour Down Under changed its toughest stage route due to the heat and fire risks. Meteorologists expect the heatwave to end by Sunday, but warn that hotter days and nights will likely continue into autumn. This relentless heat tests Australia’s resilience and adaptation to global warming.