THE Swan Valley last week sweltered through its hottest day on record, with the temperature hitting a searing 45C in the midst of Perth’s second severe heatwave for 2024.

A top of 45.2C was recorded at Pearce air base just after midday on Thursday, February 1 with the Swan Valley being the second hottest area of Perth and surrounds, reaching 44.6C and eclipsing its previous record of 44.5C, recorded in February 2022.

Synergy asked customers to turn off unused appliances and set air-conditioners to 24C while Transperth slowed trains by up to 30km/h to stop heat warping the tracks.

When temperatures hit 41C all Transperth trains are required to reduce their speed by 30km per hour, while a 20km per hour reduction kicks in on the Midland line at 37C.

The heatwave looks set to continue this week, after a respite on the weekend, with temperatures again expected to rise again on Thursday with the UV index remaining extreme.

At this stage forecasts predict 39C on Thursday, and 41C on Friday and Saturday, before dropping to 35C on Monday.