Millions of Australians are set to swelter through a significant and widespread heatwave over the coming week, with the Bureau of Meteorology forecasting maximum temperatures soaring above 40 degrees Celsius across regions of every mainland state and territory.
Widespread Extreme Heat Forecast
By Thursday, the intense heat is expected to push heatwave warnings to an "extreme" level across large swathes of South Australia, Victoria, and New South Wales. BoM senior meteorologist Dean Narramore confirmed the severe conditions, indicating a major burst of summer heat is on the way.
"We're definitely going to get a big burst of summer with temperatures likely to get into the low-to-mid 40s for inland areas of South Australia, Victoria, and New South Wales," Narramore said. He noted that even major metropolitan centres will feel the burn, with Adelaide and Melbourne potentially facing several days in the mid to high 30s, and outer suburbs could approach the 40-degree mark.
Cause and Projected Timeline
The driver behind this scorching weather is a high-pressure system moving into the Tasman Sea. This system is funneling hot air from the northwest down to the southeast of the country. The effect will be felt most acutely from Tuesday and Wednesday onwards, with maximum temperatures rising well above the seasonal average.
"From Thursday and Friday, we're going to see multiple days of temperatures anywhere from 6-12 degrees, even up to 15 degrees above average to parts of South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales," Narramore explained. The persistence of this heat is a key concern, leading to the forecast for widespread severe to extreme heatwave conditions.
Official Warnings and Safety Advice
The Bureau's official warnings pinpoint inland and northeast Victoria, extending north into the South Coast of NSW, for extreme heatwave impacts on Thursday. The situation is forecast to intensify and expand by Friday, with the extreme conditions expected to envelop the entire Australian Capital Territory and spread further across NSW and Victoria.
With such dangerous conditions looming, Narramore urged residents in affected areas to exercise common sense to stay safe. His advice includes:
- Staying indoors when possible.
- Seeking out air-conditioned spaces like shopping centres or libraries if you don't have cooling at home.
- Staying hydrated and keeping cool.
Authorities emphasise that prolonged exposure to such extreme heat poses serious health risks, particularly for the elderly, young children, and those with pre-existing medical conditions.
