Australians are preparing for a weekend of intense and varied weather, with a severe heatwave set to sizzle large parts of the country and extreme fire danger putting firefighters on high alert in the southeast. The Bureau of Meteorology has issued warnings for multiple states, forecasting a dangerous mix of heat, wind, and dry conditions.
Severe Heat and Fire Threat for New South Wales
The most significant heat and fire danger is expected in New South Wales. A severe heatwave warning is in place for the Hunter, Sydney, Illawarra, Southern Tablelands and Snowy Mountains regions. Sydney is forecast to reach 35C on Friday and 36C on Saturday, with western suburbs potentially hitting 40C.
Senior Meteorologist Christie Johnson said Saturday will be the peak day for both heat and fire risk. "This is when we have extreme fire danger over quite a lot of central and northern parts of the state," she stated. The combination of hot, dry, and windy conditions is creating the elevated threat. There is also a risk of thunderstorms on Saturday across central and eastern NSW, which could spark new fires through lightning strikes.
A cool change is expected to push into the southwest on Saturday, bringing relief by Sunday.
Extreme Conditions Forecast for South Australia and Victoria
In South Australia, extreme fire danger is forecast for Thursday in regions including the Eastern Eyre Peninsula, Flinders, Mid North, Mount Lofty Ranges, and the Riverland. Hot, dry conditions combined with gusty northwesterly winds are to blame. Temperatures will peak on Thursday and Friday before a cooler air mass moves through over the weekend, with Adelaide potentially seeing some slight rain from thunderstorms on Saturday.
For Victoria, elevated fire dangers are expected over western and central parts on Thursday and Friday, driven by hot, dry conditions and strong winds. A cooler southwesterly change is due later Friday. Interestingly, Victoria could see snow on the alpine ranges by Saturday night into Sunday morning as the cooler air arrives.
Heatwave Warnings for WA and NT, Wild Weather Elsewhere
Severe heatwave warnings are current for large parts of Western Australia's Kimberley, Pilbara and North Interior, with conditions building over the coming days. Locations like Fitzroy Crossing and Kalumburu are likely to be impacted. Cooler conditions in the southwest will push northwards on Saturday.
The Northern Territory's Daly, Tiwi and Gregory districts are also under a severe heatwave warning, with maximums in the mid-forties predicted. Alice Springs is heading for around 40C on Friday. A cool change will move through southern parts of the NT on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Queensland can expect isolated showers and thunderstorms in the southwest and near the NSW border on Saturday, spreading more widely on Sunday. Tasmania is bracing for damaging winds in central and eastern parts, with possible morning snow about 700 metres above sea level on Sunday.
The weekend's wild weather serves as a potent reminder of Australia's volatile climate, urging residents to stay informed, prepare their properties, and heed all official warnings.
