Almost the entirety of mainland Australia will be scorched in a huge heatwave next week, with temperatures likely to reach 50 degrees.

According to meteorologist Kim Westcott records are likely to be shattered in some areas. She told the Sydney Morning Herald that there are going to be days where it feels like a "furnace" outside.

But the heatwave could also have terrifying consequences.

Apart from humans caught in the heat, wildlife may also struggle to survive. There’s also a high risk of fires.

Why is this happening?

Climate change, duh. But Westcott also said a "very weak pressure pattern" means that the heat has been able to build over the inland with little disturbance from cold fronts.

Why is it so worrying?

Australia being hot is nothing new, particularly at this time of year. But there’s a real chance that the next few days could see the country’s all-time hottest day record broken. The start of 2013 was the hottest on record for the country, with average daytime temperatures reaching 40.3 and then 40.1.

If Australia’s record is broken, it’ll join many other countries in having its hottest day this year, further proving that the Earth’s climate is spiralling dangerously out of control.

*Gulps*