Temperature records have been broken in Canberra’s south as the ACT swelters through its hottest day in years.

The mercury soared to 43.5 degrees Celsius at Tuggeranong on Wednesday afternoon, the hottest temperature ever recorded at the site.

Canberra Airport reached 42.6C, falling just shy of the all-time 44C record set in January 2020.

Young man jogs outdoors in heat.

The temperature in Canberra is expected to plummet to 22C by Monday, with an overnight minimum of 10C. (ABC News: David Sciasci)

Canberra has been gripped by heatwave conditions since Saturday, with temperatures forecast to remain well above average until Sunday.

“This will likely be the peak of this heatwave event, with [Thursday] expecting the highest temperatures in Canberra, around 35C, and possibly 39C forecast on Friday,” Bureau of Meteorology forecaster Brandon Creagh said.

By Monday, the temperature is expected to plummet to 22C, with an overnight minimum of 10C.

High temperatures are also being recorded across New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria, with firefighters in Victoria continuing to battle ongoing fires.

Pressure on paramedics

Mark Molloy from ACT Ambulance said the days of scorching weather were putting pressure on paramedics.

“We are expecting a 10 to 20 per cent increase on our general workload on a normal day … where people have got themselves to a point where potentially emergency or life-threatening support is required,” Mr Molloy said.

A temperature guage on the outside of the ABC building in Canberra

Canberra has been in the grip of heatwave conditions since Saturday.

He urged people to stay hydrated, stay out of the sun, and watch for signs of heat-related illness.

“As you dehydrate, you lose the ability to sweat,” Mr Molloy said.

“You’ll be breathing faster, you may feel your heart racing, you’ll also have some confusion and loss of coordination.

“That builds to potential dizziness and collapse, and ultimately potentially fitting and convulsions — we want to avoid people getting to the far end of that spectrum.”

Looking after the vulnerable

Children and elderly people, pregnant women and people with medical conditions are the most vulnerable to heat-related illness.

Council on the Ageing ACT chief executive Jenny Mobbs said older Canberrans should stay indoors or make the most of air-conditioned public spaces such as libraries and shopping centres.

“Anyone with a heart or a lung disease, anyone with diabetes, should be checking in with their pharmacist or with their doctor to make sure they’re doing the right thing, because some of the medications can create a bit of a situation for older people in the heat,” she said.

“Think back to COVID times when we looked after our neighbours.

“If you know people in your street who might be struggling on a hot day like today, give them a call, perhaps pop down with an iced drink for them.”