What a scorcher: Temperatures soar to 30C on the hottest winter’s day in more than 123 years – but don’t put your warm clothes away just yet
- Perth surpassed a heat record held since 1897 with an average of 30 degrees
- But experts said to hold off on beach days with temperatures set to plummet
- Sydney will see rain from Thursday and Melbourne from Sunday until Tuesday
Scorching 30C winter temperatures have hit Western Australia, smashing a 123 year record in Perth, but forecasters have warned the mercury is set to plummet again.
Perth recorded its highest temperatures since 1897 on Wednesday, 11 degrees higher than the August average of 19C, as a heatwave smashed the northern and western parts of Australia.
The sudden rise in temperature was generated by hot winds in central Australia that headed in a south westerly direction – sending hot temperatures to upper Western Australia and Darwin in the process.
A wave of hot weather spread over Western Australia and the Northern Territory with Perth recording its highest temperatures since 1897 on Wednesday
Meanwhile on the eastern side of the country cooler temperatures were seen in Sydney, Adelaide and especially Melbourne – with Brisbane experiencing moderate temperatures with occasional rain.
But meteorologists have warned Perth residents to hold off on beach days this weekend with temperatures set to plummet.
‘You can probably go to the beach but it won’t be a very nice time.’
‘There is a big change on the way, tomorrow will be quiet, windy and showers will be coming later in the after afternoon,’ Kym Westcott from Weatherzone said.
Meteorologists warn to hold of on beach days this weekend with temperatures set to plummet
In the next week in weather, Thursday is expected to see the first of several cold fronts with rain steadily increasing – before temperatures drop to a far more normal 21 degrees in Perth.
Temperatures around Australia will remain far more predictable in the coming week but residents of Sydney should watch out for heavy rains coming in over Thursday and Friday.
Rain is also expected in Melbourne on Sunday and heading into the next week, while Canberra escapes with cloudy weather.
Those in Brisbane on Thursday should also be cautious as thunderstorms are expected with possible showers on Friday.
Thursday is expected to see the first of several cold fronts with rain steadily increasing in Perth and some in Sydney