Sydney swelters through its hottest day since 1939, a blistering 47.3 degrees Celsius

Dangerous heat is roasting parts of Australia with temperatures that haven’t been seen in decades.

The temperature in Sydney hit an almost 80-year high of 47.3 degrees Celsius (117 Fahrenheit) on Sunday – a sharp contrast to the bitter cold that has gripped much of North America.

The temperature was just shy of the city’s all-time high of 47.8 degrees Celsius, set in 1939.

According to The Sydney Morning Herald, Sydney was the hottest place in the world on Sunday.

New South Wales Police Deputy Commissioner Catherine Burn said the state’s heatwave plan had been activated to respond to “severe to extreme heat conditions.”

Thousands were left without power, and total fire bans were put in place as officials warned of a severe danger.