Parts of Victoria, New South Wales and South Australia are bracing for extreme heatwave conditions, which the Bureau of Meteorology has forecast as the worst since the 2019-20 Black Summer bushfires. Temperatures are expected to climb into the mid-40s in some areas, including cities along the Murray River.
The Bureau of Meteorology forecasts a maximum of 40 degrees Celsius in Port Pirie on Tuesday and 45C on Wednesday. Mildura, Swan Hill and Renmark are expected to hit 44C on Wednesday, with slight increases on Thursday and Friday. Temperatures are also tipped to exceed 40C in the Latrobe Valley, Albury Wodonga, Bendigo, Horsham, Benalla and Shepparton. Geelong and Melbourne are forecast to reach 40C and 41C respectively on Wednesday, before a significant drop on Thursday and a rise again on Friday.
Senior meteorologist Simon Timke said overnight conditions between Wednesday and Friday would also be "pretty hot," with little relief expected until Saturday. The Country Fire Authority has issued a total fire ban for Victoria's northern country, including the municipalities of Campaspe, Greater Bendigo, Greater Shepparton, Loddon, Moira and Strathbogie. CFA chief officer Jason Heffernan warned more bans were likely and urged residents to follow strict conditions and ensure their fire plans cover all contingencies.
The V/Line network will introduce a revised schedule for areas affected by hot weather on Tuesday and Wednesday, as steel tracks expand in the heat, requiring trains to slow down. Some services will be replaced by air-conditioned coaches. CFA members across central and northern Victoria warn that a late harvest poses an increased fire risk over the next three days. Deputy Chief Officer Trevor Weston noted that grassfire risk is high, particularly where grasslands border residential developments, calling the urban-rural interface his greatest concern.
