Extreme heatwaves such as those of 2013, when temperatures approached 50 degrees in some parts of Australia, could represent “just another average summer” by 2035.

New research led by Sophie Lewis from the Australian National University’s Fenner School of Environment and Society shows if current carbon emission levels continue “extreme seasons will inevitably become the norm within decades”.

“Australia is the canary in the coal mine that will experience this change first,” Dr Lewis said.

Immediate emissions action could prevent record extreme seasons year after year, she says.

“This research tells us we can potentially prevent record-breaking seasonal temperatures from becoming average at a regional level.”