Victoria records highest December temperature in five years as Australia swelters under heatwave

Much of Australia’s south-east, particularly inland areas, was sweltering by mid-morning. Photograph: Diego Fedele/EPA

Victoria recorded its highest December temperatures in five years on Monday, as towns and cities across the country sweltered in widespread heat.

The Bureau of Meteorology said the state’s highest temperature on Monday was recorded at Walpeup, in Victoria’s north-west, which reached 47.1C at 2.25pm.