Severe storms are expected to impact every mainland state and territory in Australia this week, with warnings of damaging winds, heavy rainfall, large hail, and flash flooding.
According to Weatherzone meteorologist Ben Domensino, the country is bracing for a dramatic weather event, with millions of lightning strikes forecasted as low-pressure troughs collide with unusually warm and humid air.
This weather system is being influenced by ocean temperatures that are higher than usual for this time of year.
In Sydney, temperatures will remain in the mid-20s, continuing into the weekend.
Meanwhile, Melbourne is forecast to see temperatures in the mid-20s on Tuesday and Wednesday, with a warm-up expected as the weekend approaches, pushing temperatures into the 30s.
Despite this, the stormy conditions will continue to affect parts of New South Wales, southeast Queensland, and central Australia, particularly on Tuesday, with thunderstorms set to intensify in the latter half of the week.
Northern and Western Australia will also experience the brunt of these low-pressure troughs.
Unusual warm ocean temperatures fuel intense weather, with widespread lightning strikes expected nationwide.Dean Narramore, senior meteorologist at the Bureau of Meteorology, mentioned that Tasmania would likely be the only region spared from the severe conditions, with northeast New South Wales and southeast Queensland bearing the worst of the storms.
The storms are expected to bring dangerous winds, heavy rain, and the possibility of flash flooding and large hail, especially around Wednesday.
Central Australia is also under threat of severe thunderstorms, with large hail and heavy rainfall forecast.
Additionally, northern Australia is experiencing extreme heatwaves, with temperatures reaching 40°C, and Marble Bar in Western Australia is expected to peak at 45°C on Wednesday.
Though conditions will ease slightly toward the weekend, heatwaves are expected to continue around Cape York.
The recent State of the Climate report highlights how global warming, driven by the burning of fossil fuels, is contributing to longer and more intense heat waves, further exacerbating these weather events.