On the heatwave map for the next few days, we can already see heat building across much of Western Australia. Large areas of inland WA are experiencing severe heatwave conditions at the start of the week, with low-intensity heatwave conditions spreading across much of southern and south-eastern Australia.
As we move into Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, severe heatwave conditions are likely through much of South Australia, New South Wales and Victoria, with extreme heatwave conditions starting to build across parts of Victoria and New South Wales. Our greatest concern is the three-day period from Wednesday through Friday, when extreme heatwave conditions are likely across a huge part of New South Wales and northern Victoria, practically everywhere between Melbourne and Sydney and extending well inland.
Here at the Bureau, we define a heatwave as three consecutive days where both maximum and minimum temperatures are well above average for this time of year, and that is exactly what we are seeing across much of southern and south-eastern Australia this week.
Looking at temperatures, today we are already seeing readings into the low 40s by 11 a.m. through parts of inland Western Australia, with heat also beginning to build across inland parts of the country. By Tuesday, the focus of the heat remains in WA but also begins to shift into inland South Australia and far south-west Queensland.
By Wednesday, temperatures really jump across populated parts of south-eastern Australia, with even coastal areas looking at temperatures in the low 40s. This includes Adelaide, Melbourne and everywhere in between. Inland areas are expected to see temperatures climb into the low to mid-40s, continuing through Thursday and Friday, driving widespread severe to extreme heatwave conditions.
On Thursday, some coastal relief is possible within about 10 to 20 kilometres of the coast due to southerly winds. However, further inland the heat will persist across inland South Australia, inland New South Wales and northern Victoria, with temperatures in the mid to possibly high 40s for a second consecutive day.
On Friday, a stronger change is expected to move into coastal parts of South Australia during the day, but inland areas of South Australia, western New South Wales and much of northern Victoria are still likely to see a third day of temperatures well into the 40s. Ahead of that strong and gusty change, heat will once again reach coastal locations in Victoria. Tasmania is also expected to see temperatures in the high 20s to low 30s for multiple days, particularly across northern and eastern parts of the state.
In terms of fire danger, there is generally not too much wind at present, although gusty southerly winds today through northern Victoria are driving extreme fire dangers there. Overall, high fire dangers are expected across much of South Australia, Victoria and inland New South Wales.
Tuesday is expected to be a brief lull, with no major fire conditions despite heat continuing to build through South Australia. By Wednesday, high fire dangers are forecast across all of Victoria and much of New South Wales, with extreme fire dangers likely in many parts of southern South Australia, including the Mount Lofty Ranges, the South East and parts of the Eyre Peninsula, due to hot, dry and windy conditions.
On Thursday, the focus of extreme fire dangers shifts into northern Victoria. Although not shown here, Friday is likely to bring extreme fire dangers across much of South Australia and Victoria ahead of a strong and gusty change Friday night into Saturday.
With these hot temperatures and increasing winds later this week, it is important to stay up to date with the latest forecasts and warnings via the Bureau's website and app. Prepare for a major heat event across south-eastern Australia later this week and into the weekend, and if fires do occur, follow all advice from emergency services. The Bureau will continue to provide updates as conditions evolve
Video current: 2:00 pm AEDT Monday 05/01/26.
