Severe Heatwave to Push Temperatures Past 45C Across Australia

Melbourne, January 7: Australia is bracing for an intense and potentially dangerous heatwave as temperatures across large parts of the country are forecast to soar well above 40 degrees Celsius this week, with some areas expected to reach as high as 46 or even 47 degrees.

About nine million people in Victoria and South Australia are expected to experience extreme heat, with Melbourne and Adelaide both tipped to reach around 42C on Wednesday. The heatwave, which began in Western Australia earlier this week, is spreading across most of the country and is forecast to persist until Sunday. Weather warnings are currently in place for New South Wales, Victoria, Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania and the Northern Territory.

Some towns and cities in South Australia are expected to see temperatures climb to 45C as the heatwave intensifies. Picture: Sky News Australia

The Bureau of Meteorology has warned that the hot and dry conditions, combined with strong north to north-westerly winds, are creating dangerous bushfire risks, particularly in Victoria’s Central, South West and Wimmera fire districts. A cooler south-westerly change is expected later in the day, but authorities say it may arrive too late to reduce fire danger in many areas.

South Australia is also on high alert, with extreme fire danger warnings issued for much of the state, including the West Coast, Eyre Peninsula, Flinders Ranges, Mount Lofty Ranges, Yorke Peninsula, Kangaroo Island, Riverland and the South East.

Senior meteorologist Miriam Bradbury said the heatwave is being driven by a low-pressure trough pulling hot air from central Australia, combined with clear, sunny skies allowing temperatures to build. She warned conditions will worsen on Friday and Saturday, especially along the New South Wales and Victoria border.

“We could see some locations pushing towards 46 degrees, possibly even 47,” she said, adding that northern Victoria, south-western New South Wales and eastern South Australia are most at risk. Mildura is forecast to reach around 46C on Friday, with towns such as Ouyen, Birchip and Balranald also facing extreme heat.

In New South Wales, temperatures are only just beginning to climb, with Sydney expected to hit 33C on Wednesday before rising sharply to around 40C by Saturday.

Authorities have warned that this kind of prolonged extreme heat is dangerous not only for the elderly and pregnant women but also for young, healthy people.

“Heatwaves are not just summer heat. They are days of significantly high temperatures that put serious stress on the human body,” Ms Bradbury said.