Hobart endured its hottest night in 112 years as a severe heatwave sweeps across south-east Australia.
The Bureau of Meteorology reported that extreme temperatures will persist in South Australia, Victoria, Tasmania, and southern New South Wales, leading to the cancellation of various long weekend events.
On Saturday, Edithburgh on South Australia’s Yorke Peninsula recorded its highest March temperature ever at 41.7°C, and Kanagulk in western Victoria hit 40.6°C.
Hobart’s overnight low was 24.3°C, marking the warmest night in the Tasmanian capital since 1912. The temperature only slightly dropped after 8 am on Sunday.
Melbourne’s Moomba parade was canceled due to extreme heat; Birdman rally continues.Sarah Scully, a senior meteorologist, noted that such hot nights are unusual for Hobart, where the typical March minimum is 11°C. She explained that temperatures in the heatwave-affected regions are 10 to 16 degrees above average for March.
Scully indicated that Melbourne will experience days over 37°C throughout the long weekend, with relief expected from a southerly change on Tuesday, though northern Victoria and South Australia will remain hot until Thursday.
The heatwave has led to several event cancellations and adjustments. In Adelaide, one stage at the Womad festival was closed, and the Pitch Music and Arts Festival in regional Victoria was canceled due to extreme fire danger. Melbourne’s Moomba parade was also called off to protect participants from the intense heat, although the Birdman rally proceeded.
In contrast, Western Australia faces heavy rain and flash flood warnings as a rain system threatens the Eucla, Goldfields, and southern interior regions.