Aussie states set to swelter through a heatwave this weekend

Millions of Australians will be hit by a blistering heatwave that is sweeping across southeastern parts of the country as firefighters battle to contain large blazes. A burst of hot air caused by northerly winds that will develop into a low pressure trough will force temperatures to soar in Victoria, South Australia and the Northern Territory over the weekend. Parts of South Australia will hit a sweltering 40C with the extreme heat forecast to last until Monday, according to Weatherzone.

Temperatures will hit 43C in Coober Pedy while while residents in Roxby Downs and Port Augusta will also swelter through temperatures of 41C and 42C on Saturday. The mercury will reach 36C in Adelaide on Saturday while temperatures of 33C have been forecast for Sunday. Northern and southern parts of Victoria are also likely to see temperatures get close to 40C due to the hot air mass that will hit the state over the weekend. Mildura in the state’s far north-west will soar to 41C on Saturday while residents in Bendigo will experience temperatures of 38C. Melbourne will also be hit with temperatures of 38C on Saturday before the temperature dips slightly to a top of 37C on Sunday ahead of a cool change next week. The heatwave will also affect areas close to the Grampian’s region in the state’s west. Exasperated firefighters continue to battle the huge blaze that has ripped through around a massive 76,000 hectares of land at the Grampians National Park.

The blaze, which has been burning for several weeks, has affected 40 per cent of the national park or about the size of Singapore. ‘This is the fifth fire in 20 years, and the third major fire in that park, so the constant impact on some of the species is starting to show now,’ Victorian Sate Control spokeswoman Reegan Key said. ‘So we’ve had aircraft and crews back burning towards the fire … we have also had some (food) drops for rock wallabies.’ Locals have been urged to monitor the conditions and authorities have urged visitors to stay clear of the Grampians National Park that remains closed until further notice. The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a severe heatwave warning for several areas including the North East, East Gippsland and the North and Central Districts until Monday. More than 10 fires are also burning across Western Australia, but all had been downgraded to advice levels by Friday afternoon.

The heatwave will also affect NSW and the Northern Territory. Temperatures in Tibbooburra in far north-west NSW and the outback town of Broken Hill in western NSW will hit 40C on Saturday. Sydney will reach top temperatures of 29C on Saturday before the mercury warms up to 31C on Sunday. Temperatures will remain in the low to mid 30s in Darwin next week with tops of 33C forecast for the weekend. Meteorologist at the Bureau of Meteorology Johnathan How said the weather conditions are not expected to ease until Monday. ‘Low intensity heatwaves are common at this time of year, but once we get into the severe category especially with the run of hot days and warm nights, some people can find it quite challenging,’ Mr How said.

Saturday: Possible shower. Min 21. Max 29. Sunday: Mostly sunny. Min 20. Max 30. Monday: Partly cloudy. Min 20. Max 30.

Saturday: Sunny. Min 19. Max 29. Sunday: Sunny. Min 20. Max 31. Monday: Mostly sunny. Min 21. Max 33.

Saturday: Sunny. Min 17. Max 37. Sunday: Partly cloud. Min 22. Max 38. Monday: Showers. Min 18. Max 23.

Saturday: Possible storm. Min 12. Max 33. Sunday: Partly cloudy. Min 15. Max 35. Monday: Shower or two. Min 17. Max 35.

Saturday: Mostly sunny. Min 13. Max 28. Sunday: Shower or two. Min 15. Max 22. Monday: Shower or two clearing. Min 16. Max 20.

Saturday: Partly cloudy. Min 21. Max 36. Sunday: Partly cloudy. Min 25. Max 35. Monday: Shower or two. Min 17. Max 35.

Saturday: Sunny. Min 17. Max 30. Sunday: Sunny. Min 16. Max 32. Monday: Sunny. Min 19. Max 35.

Saturday: Shower or two. Possible storm. Min 25. Max 33. Sunday: Shower or two. Possible storm. Min 25. Max 34. Monday: Shower or two. Possible storm. Min 24. Max 33.

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