This weekend, a severe heatwave is expected to engulf much of southern Queensland and eastern New South Wales, with western Sydney and Melbourne preparing for high temperatures. Forecasts indicate that temperatures in these regions will reach the high 30s on Sunday.
Ex-Tropical Cyclone Kirrily continues to impact outback Queensland with heavy rainfall. The system is moving southward, anticipated to track across New South Wales before departing the continent on Tuesday.
A moderate heatwave warning is active for southern Queensland and eastern NSW, while a severe heatwave is affecting locations including Armidale, Dubbo, and Wollongong.
Ex-Tropical Cyclone Kirrily continues heavy rain across Queensland, new cyclone threat looms.In Melbourne, temperatures are forecasted to peak at 38°C on Sunday, marking the city’s first temperature over 35°C since March 2023.
Northern Victoria could experience temperatures as high as 43°C. Sydney is expected to see temperatures in the low 30s, with western suburbs bracing for highs in the high 30s.
Angus Hines, a senior forecaster with the Bureau of Meteorology, noted that the current heatwave is a result of a pattern typical of Australian summers, where extended periods of heat persist due to a lack of cool changes.
This pattern follows a previous heatwave that affected Western Australia and Perth earlier this week.
Additionally, the Bureau is monitoring a low-pressure system near New Caledonia, which has the potential to develop into a tropical cyclone and could impact the Queensland coast late next week.
Hines indicated that while the system could intensify, its development remains uncertain. The potential cyclone follows the recent devastation caused by Tropical Cyclone Jasper and the rainfall from Cyclone Kirrily.