In a concerning turn of events, South-East Australia is bracing for an intense heatwave that is poised to smash temperature records and bring catastrophic fire conditions. Meteorologists warn that the impending heat dome could push inland areas to experience more than five days above 40°C, posing significant challenges for communities.
The Bureau of Meteorology has forecast a prolonged period of intense heat across South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales, and southern Queensland, starting this Saturday. Some regions could see temperatures soar to unprecedented levels, with the small town of Thargomindah in south-west Queensland potentially reaching 48°C on Wednesday and 47°C on Thursday.
In Victoria, certain Mallee centres could approach 49°C on Tuesday, challenging the state’s hottest ever temperature of 48.8°C recorded in Hopetoun in 2009. Melbourne, where the Australian Open is currently in full swing, is expected to reach 40°C on Saturday, followed by a secondary peak of 41°C on Tuesday.
New South Wales is also set to bear the brunt of the heat, with the Riverina, central west, and north regions likely to experience the most intense conditions. Bourke is forecast to reach 48°C on Wednesday, inching closer to the state’s all-time record of 50.1°C set in Wilcannia in 1939.
Analysts warn that the extreme heat is a direct consequence of global heating, with the recent heatwave in January being made five times more likely due to climate change. The climate crisis has increased the frequency and severity of such extreme weather events, and the latest long-range forecast suggests hotter than average days and nights are expected to continue until April for much of the country.
While there is no meaningful rain forecast in the coming days, the winds are not expected to be as gusty or damaging as the previous heatwave. Nonetheless, total fire bans have been declared in Victoria and parts of South Australia, as new fires could start and spread rapidly in the hot and dry conditions.
Authorities are urging residents to stay cool, hydrated, and up to date with the latest heat and fire warnings. With communities still recovering from the devastating bushfires earlier this year, the impending extreme heat poses an additional challenge that will test the resilience of the region.
