Australia burning: Levels above 40 degrees

Australia has marked its hottest day in history, measuring average national temperature, reaching a height of 40.9 degrees Celsius.

The Bureau of Meteorology said the heat exceeded the previous record of 40.3 degrees Celsius, set on January 7, 2013.

The measure of maximum temperatures across the country is the most precise measure of the power of a heat wave.

This new record comes as the country struggles with a crisis of drought and fires.

On Tuesday, some countries registered temperatures of over 45 degrees Celsius.

Scientists had predicted that the highest heat could be marked later in the week, which means the record could be broken again.

The prime minister, Scott Morrison, has been criticised for his response to natural disasters and his government's climate policies.