As South-eastern Australia braces for its first significant heatwave of the season, temperatures are set to soar, raising concerns about fire risks and the strain on the power grid.
According to the Bureau of Meteorology, the region will experience a spike in temperatures, with day and night conditions 8-14°C hotter than usual.
Forecaster Dean Narramore warned that the heat would begin intensifying across South Australia on Thursday and continue spreading into Tasmania, Victoria, and southern New South Wales over the weekend.
Cities like Adelaide are forecasted to experience consecutive days in the mid-30s, while Melbourne and Canberra are set for similarly high temperatures.
Western Sydney may endure five days of extreme heat, with a peak of 39°C on Monday.
The prolonged hot weather, described as a low-intensity heatwave in some regions, signals the impending arrival of summer.
This heatwave also brings challenges, including increased power demand.
Weatherzone senior meteorologist Ben Domensino noted that rising dew-point temperatures will create muggy conditions, further amplifying the heat’s impact.
Rising temperatures signal the start of summer with concerns about fires and energy supply.Light winds are expected, making it harder for the energy sector to meet the demand, especially with wind power generation potentially falling short.
The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) has already issued alerts for power shortages, particularly in New South Wales and Queensland.
An alert level 2 has been issued for next Tuesday, calling for an additional 730MW of reserve capacity.
AEMO had previously issued a rare “Lack of Reserve” forecast for NSW, but this was later canceled.
Fire risks are also elevated, particularly in areas of South Australia and Victoria, where dry conditions and low rainfall create ideal conditions for wildfires.
Despite some mitigating factors, such as moderate fire ratings in eastern NSW, authorities remain vigilant as the heatwave progresses.
Looking ahead, weather models predict that the heat will likely return next week, signaling a busy summer ahead.
The potential for above-average rainfall in December offers some hope, as it could reduce fire risks and increase humidity, helping to combat the intense heat.
Meteorologists are closely monitoring the development of early monsoonal activity, which could bring significant changes to the region’s weather patterns in the coming weeks.