Southern Queensland and eastern New South Wales are set to experience a heatwave this weekend, with western Sydney and Melbourne preparing for temperatures in the high 30s on Sunday.
Ex-tropical cyclone Kirrily is continuing to bring heavy rain to outback Queensland, moving south and expected to cross NSW before exiting the continent on Tuesday.
The Bureau of Meteorology is also tracking a low-pressure system near New Caledonia, which might develop into a tropical cyclone affecting Queensland’s coast by late next week.
Angus Hines, a senior forecaster, noted that the heatwave affecting Western Australia and Perth earlier has now spread across eastern Australia, impacting South Australia, Victoria, Tasmania, NSW, and southern Queensland.
Southern Queensland and eastern NSW brace for a heatwave, with temperatures soaring into the 40s.A moderate heatwave warning is in effect for southern Queensland and eastern NSW, with severe warnings for regions including Armidale, Dubbo, and Wollongong.
Melbourne is forecasted to reach 38°C on Sunday, its first day over 35°C since March 2023, with northern Victoria possibly hitting 43°C. Sydney will experience low 30s, but western suburbs may see temperatures in the high 30s, with the interior reaching low-to-mid 40s.
Cyclone Kirrily has been significant for the last 10 days, bringing considerable rainfall to usually dry areas of Queensland. A severe rainfall warning is in place for northern Queensland, with up to 300mm of rain possible. The system is expected to move south and east, crossing the NSW coast by Tuesday.
A tropical low-pressure system east of Queensland could approach the coast in the coming days. Although there is a chance it may develop into a cyclone, there is also a moderate risk it might remain a tropical low. After recent severe weather, there is hope it will avoid significant impacts.