Drowning Warning Ahead of Steamy Australia Day

Tourists flock to a crowded Bondi beach January 1, 2006 in Sydney, Australia, with temperatures soaring to 42°C (107.6F). Meteorologists predict that nearly all of Australia may experience higher than average temperatures this summer. Ian Waldie/Getty Images

Most parts of NSW and the ACT have sweltered through a second consecutive sweltering night, as thousands head to the beach seeking relief from the heat on Australia Day.

Temperatures across most of southeast Australia have spiked over the past three days, with a cool wind change on January 25 delivering milder conditions in South Australia, Tasmania and most of Victoria.