Perth has reached a sweltering 40 degrees on Tuesday afternoon as thousands of people flocked to the beach to cool off.
The official Perth temperature struck exactly 40.0 degrees celsius at 2.17pm.
It also hit 40.0 at Perth Airport at 2.43pm.
In Gooseberry Hill east of Perth, it reached 40.7 just before 2pm.
There is no relief in sight for Perth from the hot weather until at least Thursday.
The Bureau of Meteorology is forecasting Wednesday will reach a top of 38, before Thursday drops to a cooler 27.
Earlier on Tuesday Cottesloe beach was closed due to a shark sighting before being being reopened a short time later.
Perth's Five Day Outlook:
Wednesday: Min 21 Max 38
Thursday: Min 18 Max 27
Friday: Min 14 Max 24
Saturday: Min 13 Max 26
Sunday: Min 16 Max 31