Extreme Heat, Fire Risk Threaten Southern Regions

Now, for today, extreme fire danger is expected across large parts of southern South Australia, extending into western and central parts of Victoria as well. Now, anywhere within this orange Area of Fire weather warning is in place with total fire bans, including for the Melbourne metropolitan area.

Now, these elevated fire dangers are being driven by a very hot air mass that extends all the way from WA with maximum temperatures in excess of 45 degrees, extending through South Australia and into the south east. Today, maximum temperatures for both Adelaide and Melbourne are expected to be 42 degrees. And if they get there, Melbourne, that will be the hottest day since January 2020.

It's also really hot down in Tasmania, particularly across northern and eastern parts. Launceston expecting a maximum of 32 degrees.

As we move into tomorrow there is a southerly change that pushes into the southern half of Victoria, bringing a short reprieve to those high temperatures and maximum for Melbourne 30 degrees. However, north of the Great Dividing Range, that lingering heat, maximum temperatures in the low 40s to mid 40s continue with elevated fire dangers reaching extreme through the Mid-North Fire District of South Australia.

So that includes places like Port Pirie and Clare, but as well for the Northern country and the North East district of Victoria. So including places like Bendigo, Shepparton, Wangaratta and even those alpine town areas.

Now, tomorrow as well, to add more complexity to the fire danger, there are severe thunderstorms that are possible across the region. Now, anywhere within this yellow area, damaging wind gusts are possible. But as we move out through eastern parts, including where this red area, severe thunderstorms are likely, there is the potential for large hail as well.

Now, significantly, there is very little if any rainfall expected with these thunderstorms as the thunderstorms are forming from a very high base, with the rainfall mostly evaporating before it reaches the ground as it moves through that really hot and dry air mass. So this leads to a risk of dry lightning that could potentially ignite new fires.

But as well, you've got the damaging wind gusts that will hit the ground and spread out, creating potentially erratic fire behavior.

Now, as we move into Friday, this is going to be the peak fire danger day, especially for Victoria. We've got extreme fire dangers across large parts of south east and South Australia, nearly all of Victoria, apart from the Far East in Gippsland. And this is being driven by a return of the very high temperatures, 40 degrees the maximum again for Melbourne on Friday.

And as well those high temperatures in further inland, but as well as those high temperatures, we're expecting the winds to be strong and gusty north northwesterly ahead of a trough shifting much cooler southwesterly behind us. There are also a risk of thunderstorms again on Friday. Damaging wind gust is the main concern and again, very little rainfall expected with any storms that do form, creating that risk of dry lightning and fire ignition.

Now, as we move into Saturday, much cooler conditions are expected for the weekend for South Australia, Victoria and Tasmania, but the heat really moves into eastern parts of New South Wales, including a peak heat day for Sydney with a maximum temperature of 40 degrees, but even warmer as we move into those western suburbs further inland.

So with those high temperatures, we are expecting those fire dangers to elevate through eastern parts of New South Wales, including the Sydney metropolitan area. And with those high both maximum and minimum temperatures, we do have heatwave warnings, Severe to Extreme current right across the country for all states and territories apart from Queensland, with the focus of the extreme heat wave throughout eastern parts of Victoria and south eastern parts of New South Wales.

And once we move into the weekend, the cooler conditions behind that front will start to see those warnings canceled from those south eastern parts and shift into eastern parts of New South Wales.

Now, community impacts with these really high temperatures include that increased risk of bushfires, but as well those heatwave conditions can create uncomfortable sleeping conditions and prevent the body being able to recover from the heat stress of the day and as well creates stress on power and infrastructure.

So if you live across southern parts of Australia, now's a really good time to stay up to date with our latest warnings via the bureau website, app and social media. And as always, listen to the advice from your local emergency services. Bye for now.