And you thought 2019 was bad: Aussies told to brace for WORSE extreme weather conditions in 2020

Experts have told Australians to brace for even worse weather conditions than in 2019 with more hot and dry conditions forecast moving into the New Year.

Forecasters have predicted extreme temperatures and catastrophic fire conditions to kick off 2020 in Queensland after a year in which wild fires, drought and extreme cyclones ravaged the state.

Queenslanders will get no relief from the heat with high temperatures more than seven degrees above average expected from the start of January until late March. 

Jess Gardner from the Bureau of Meteorology told The Courier Mail that Cyclone Sarai could also become threatening in the coming days. 

 Drought conditions will continue to affect inland parts of the country. Pictured: a truck feeding cattle on a property near Come By Chance in north-western New South Wales

‘Cyclone Sarai is heading eastwards away from us … There’s always a chance (it could turn around) … but it could generate some easterly swells we could see in the next few days,’ she said.

The hottest temperature in Queensland in 2019 was recorded in Birdsville on Christmas Eve, reaching a whopping 49.3C, with the state also experiencing their fourth driest spring among bouts of extreme rain.

Townsville recorded 1259.8mm of rain in ten days in February, along with record falls in Julia Creek and Richmond, while fires have devastated the state in recent months.

‘We’re starting to get extreme and catastrophic fire weather and once it gets to catastrophic, the fire services can’t combat the fire – all they can try to do is save houses,’ Ms Gardner said.

The south-east of the country has sweated through temperatures above 35C on several occasions in the past month.

Australia broke its record for the hottest average temperature twice in two days, with the national average hitting 40.7C and 41.9C on December 17 and 18.

Sunbathers sweltering in the extreme summer heat on Bondi Beach in December

Smoke haze suffocating the Sydney basin in November, as a result of wild bushfires surrounding the city

A ‘severe’ heatwave sweeping across Australia is expected over the New Year period. Pictured: National forecast for Monday, with light purple meaning 45C and red 28C

Catastrophic fire conditions have continued to wreak havoc throughout the country, with holiday makers in East Gippsland being urged to evacuate ahead of an incoming blaze.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who was in Sydney announcing compensation for NSW volunteers on the fire grounds, said other states were also on his mind.

‘We are seeing a real difficult situation emerging in Victoria where we know of the weather conditions particularly changing over the next few days,’ he said on Sunday.

‘I want to assure Australians outside New South Wales … our attention is equally there and ensuring the coordinated effort across states and territories is being put in place.’

NSW fire fighters in action as the Wrights Creek fire approaches Mangrove Mountain north of Sydney in December. Catastrophic fire conditions have stretched fire fighters to their limits in recent months

The Falls Festival in Lorne was cancelled by event organisers due to incoming severe weather, including winds up to 100km/h and storms.

In a statement on Sunday morning, festival organisers Secret Sounds said conditions posed a risk to health and safety.

‘It is with a heavy heart we have had to cancel the remaining days of The Falls Festival in Lorne due to the predicted extreme weather conditions forecast for Monday December 30th in the Otways and surrounding region, creating a risk to health and safety due to potential fires, smoke, severe winds and tree hazards. 

‘The decision has not been made lightly, our patron and staff safety is our priority,’ the statement said. 

Secret Sounds Co CEO Jessica Ducrou said she is ‘gutted’ they had to cancel the festival but the safety of patrons, artists and staff is their top priority