Australia swelters through long heatwave

Code RED issued as Australia swelters through a five-day heatwave with temperatures reaching 46C – and the worst is yet to come

  • Heatwave to push temperatures into the mid 40s around the country
  • Bureau of Meteorology has forecast temperatures of up to 12C above average 
  • South Australia’s government has declared a ‘code red’ after scorching start

Australians will remain hot and bothered for the rest of the week as heatwave conditions push temperatures into the mid 40s in some regions around the country. 

The Bureau of Meteorology has forecast daytime temperatures of up to 12C above average and 10C higher than usual at night from Monday to Friday.

South Australia has had a scorching start to the week with severe heatwave conditions across most of the state and the government declaring a ‘code red’. 

Australia will continue to swelter across the next week, with temperatures in Sydney set to soar to record-breaking levels 

Beach goers are seen enjoying the sun at Noosa Main Beach amid the heatwave

Beach goers are seen enjoying the sun at Noosa Main Beach amid the heatwave

South Australia has had a scorching start to the week with severe heatwave conditions across most of the state and the government declaring a 'code red'

South Australia has had a scorching start to the week with severe heatwave conditions across most of the state and the government declaring a ‘code red’

The Code Red triggers extra funding so services for the homeless can be extended while a special phone line will also operate for the next two days, providing regular checks on the elderly and others at risk from the extreme conditions. 

Severe heatwave conditions are expected for most of SA between Tuesday and Thursday with parts of the pastoral district to hit extreme heatwave conditions. 

The heatwave is expected to plague most of eastern NSW this week, while the rest of the state will experience severe conditions. 

In Sydney, temperatures are expected to peak on Thursday and Friday with much of the Sydney basin experiencing temperatures 10C above average for this time of the year.

Western Sydney suburbs will swelter with temperatures up to 43C in Richmond and 45C in Penrith on Friday.

The heatwave is expected to plague most of eastern NSW this week, while the rest of the state will experience severe conditions 

The heatwave is expected to plague most of eastern NSW this week, while the rest of the state will experience severe conditions 

In Sydney, temperatures are expected to peak on Thursday and Friday with much of the Sydney basin experiencing temperatures 10C above average for this time of the year 

In Sydney, temperatures are expected to peak on Thursday and Friday with much of the Sydney basin experiencing temperatures 10C above average for this time of the year 

Records have already started breaking with Borrona Downs in the state's northwest recording the highest minimum temperature ever in NSW with 34.6C on Monday

Records have already started breaking with Borrona Downs in the state’s northwest recording the highest minimum temperature ever in NSW with 34.6C on Monday

Records have already started breaking with Borrona Downs in the state’s northwest recording the highest minimum temperature ever in NSW with 34.6C on Monday.

A total fire ban has been put in place across Victoria. 

The Bureau of Meteorology is forecasting three straight days of hot to very hot temperatures in most areas of Victoria with the forecast expected to hit the mid-40s in the north of the state. 

‘Certainly there are extreme conditions for those up in the north of the state,’ senior forecaster Michael Efron said.

‘Temperatures across the border will be around 45C or 46C on both Tuesday and Wednesday.’

Mr Efron said it was not a ‘classic’ fire day with northerly winds but instead the southwest winds would pick up in the late afternoon increasing the fire risk.

A total fire ban has been put in place across Victoria (pictured are beach goers at Noosa)

A total fire ban has been put in place across Victoria (pictured are beach goers at Noosa)

A surfer is seen riding a wave while trying to cool down in the extreme heat

A surfer is seen riding a wave while trying to cool down in the extreme heat

Planning and preparing ahead of the hot weather was important for everyone, Emergency Management Commissioner Andrew Crisp said.

‘We’re still in the summer holiday period before school returns, with a large number of people camping and visiting national parks. It is important everyone stays vigilant and don’t light camp fires,’ he said.

‘There won’t be much relief from the heat overnight on Tuesday, meaning if we have fires in the landscape they could challenge firefighters.’

The Bureau of Meteorology has forecast 41 degrees to hit the South Australian capital city on Tuesday 

The Bureau of Meteorology has forecast 41 degrees to hit the South Australian capital city on Tuesday 

The hot weather comes as the Tour Down Under cycling event gets ready to start in Adelaide on Tuesday and the Australian Open continues in Melbourne (pictured Frank Dancevic of Canada) 

The hot weather comes as the Tour Down Under cycling event gets ready to start in Adelaide on Tuesday and the Australian Open continues in Melbourne (pictured Frank Dancevic of Canada) 

The hot weather comes as the Tour Down Under cycling event gets ready to start in Adelaide on Tuesday and the Australian Open continues in Melbourne.

Tennis players will have cooler conditions than the cyclists but only just – Melbourne is forecast to experience temperatures in the low to mid-30s all week.

A widespread low intensity heatwave is also expected between Tuesday and Friday from central Western Australia to southern parts of the Northern Territory and southwestern Queensland, as well as parts of Tasmania and Victoria.

AUSTRALIA’S FORECAST: THE WEEK IN YOUR CITY

SYDNEY       

TUESDAY: Min 22, Max 31, Sunny

WEDNESDAY: Min 22, Max 32, Sunny

THURSDAY: Min 22, Max 33, Sunny

FRIDAY: Min 23, Max 33, Mostly sunny

CANBERRA  

TUESDAY: Min 19, Max 39, Sunny 

WEDNESDAY: Min 19, Max 40, Hot

THURSDAY: Min 21, Max 40, Hot

FRIDAY: Min 21, Max 39, Hot

 PERTH   

TUESDAY: Min 17, Max 30, Sunny

WEDNESDAY: Min 17, Max 29, Sunny

THURSDAY: Min 15, Max 26, Sunny

FRIDAY: Min 16, Max 30, Sunny

BRISBANE   

TUESDAY: Min 22, Max 32, Cloudy

WEDNESDAY: Min 22, Max 33, Sunny

THURSDAY: Min 22, Max 33, Sunny

FRIDAY: Min 21, Max 32, Mostly sunny

MELBOURNE   

TUESDAY: Min 18, Max 35, Sunny

WEDNESDAY: Min 19, Max 35, Cloudy

THURSDAY: Min 21, Max 32, Cloudy

FRIDAY: Min 20, Max 31, Showers

ADELAIDE   

TUESDAY: Min 21, Max 41, Very hot

WEDNESDAY: Min 21, Max 40, Very hot

THURSDAY: Min 24, Max 35, Cloudy

FRIDAY: Min 24, Max 32, Showers

HOBART   

TUESDAY: Min 16, Max 29, Cloudy

WEDNESDAY: Min 17, Max 25, Shower

THURSDAY: Min 14, Max 26, Showers

FRIDAY: Min 15, Max 27, Showers

DARWIN   

TUESDAY: Min 25, Max 32, Showers

WEDNESDAY: Min 26, Max 33, Shower

THURSDAY: Min 26, Max 32, Shower

FRIDAY: Min 26, Max 32, Shower

 Source: Bureau of Meterology

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