The last 12 days have seen temperatures above 32 degrees recorded at Canberra Airport, breaking the 11-day record set in January 1947 and equalled in December.

The temperature reached 33 degrees at noon.

The city is also on track to break its record for the number of days above 30 degrees, a record that was set in January 1942 when 16 days above 30 were recorded in the capital.

The record stretch should be beaten next week, according to the current Bureau of Meteorology forecast.

Canberra is on track to record it's fifth 40-degree day for the year on Saturday, after a record-breaking run of four days above 40 degrees last week.

For 25 years between 1973 and 1998, Canberra did not see a single 40 degree day. There were nine days that reached 40 degrees between 1913 and 2006, and then 16 times since 2007.

Acting ACT Chief Health Officer Kerryn Coleman said it was important for people to be aware of the risks of hot weather, and to stay hydrated and cool.

"This is particularly for the elderly, pregnant women, young children and babies who are most at risk," she said.

ACT Ambulance Service Chief Officer Howard Wren said people should limit their alcohol consumption and seek shade in the hottest parts of the day.

The hot weather comes as research published on Friday concluded there was evidence daily sunscreen use was beneficial should be applied even when people weren't expecting to spend long periods in the sun.

Adelaide had its hottest day on record on Thursday, when temperatures reached 46.2 degrees in the city. The temperature beat the city's 80-year-old record of 46.1 degrees that was set in the January 1939 heatwave.