Seven days have topped 40 degrees, with the highest maximum of 44.7 recorded on Sunday.

Maximums of 43 and 44 are expected today and tomorrow.

While most have been lying low, others have been run off their feet during the hot spell.

Rosanne Parnanzini from GP Auto Electrician said their mechanics had been busy re-gassing and refitting car air-conditioners.

“Since the heat-wave started we have been doing about 10 air conditioners a day,” she said.

All sporting matches and athletic meetings were cancelled at the weekend, with only junior tennis players braving the hostile conditions for a training session.

The Weather Channel meteorologist Tom Saunders said heatwaves were unusual for November because of frequent cold fronts crossing southeastern Australia.

However he expects a cool change will soon bring some relief.

“The heat will be accompanied by low humidity and fresh winds on Wednesday and Thursday, leading to severe fire danger for most of the State.

“A cold front should cross South Australia on Friday, so we are expecting much cooler temperatures Statewide by the weekend.”

So far this month, the average maximum temperature is 7.8 degrees higher than past combined maximum averages.

The World Meteorological Organisation defines a heatwave as when the daily maximum temperature exceeds the average maximum temperatures by five degrees for five consecutive days.