Sydneysiders are being warned to brace for extreme heatwave conditions on the weekend, with temperatures reaching 40 degrees on Saturday.
Further north in Queensland, forecasters are predicting a severe thunderstorm to roll through the state on Friday afternoon as two cells move towards the coast.
People are expected to flock to the beach on Saturday, with the record books for the hottest September temperatures on track to be broken.
Sydneysiders are being warned to brace for extreme heatwave conditions on the weekend, with temperatures reaching 40 degrees on Saturday
People have been flocking to the beaches for an early taste of summer
The hottest September temperatures are on track to be broken on Saturday
Parts of the state’s outback should see the mercury rise to 41 on Saturday, while Sydney’s west will hit 36C and the central business district a sticky 33C.
The blistering heatwave, which should linger for a few days in Sydney, will also hit Queensland’s southeast this weekend.
Brisbane is forecast to reach a top of 34 degrees on Sunday and 35 degrees on Monday, more than 8C above average.
A lack of rain over winter has also increased the risk of bushfires across the east coast of Australia, putting firefighters across the nation on very high alert.
South West Rural Fire Service regional manager Tony Johnstone said firefighters would be keeping a ‘close eye’ on areas from Crows Nest down to the NSW border and west to Dalby.
‘It’s important for residents to remain vigilant with heightened fire conditions predicted in the coming days,’ he said in a statement on Friday.
‘Any fire that starts will travel quickly, will be unpredictable and very difficult to control.’
Parts of the state’s outback should see the mercury rise to 41 on Saturday, while Sydney’s west will hit 36C and the central business district a sticky 33C
Brisbane is forecast to reach a top of 34 degrees on Sunday and 35 degrees on Monday, more than 8C above average
The blistering heatwave, which should linger for a few days in Sydney, will also hit Queensland’s southeast this weekend
Melbourne will miss the early summer weather, with temperatures reaching a maximum of 25C on Saturday afternoon before a thunderstorm rolls in.
The weather should cool down overnight and Sunday is expected to see tops of 17C with light rain and windy conditions across Victoria’s capital city.
Weatherzone’s Graeme Brittain said the warm weekend coming up is a sign of things to come.
‘Our models indicate higher than average minimum and maximum temperatures,’ he said.
‘This means we will be seeing a hotter spring than usual for most of eastern and southeastern Australia.
‘On the other hand, the southern parts of Western Australia and South Australia will have a cooler than average September, returning to the average in October.’