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Summer is finally here as authorities issue heat wave warnings for six states and territories with parts of Australia already sweltering for days above 45C.
Western Australia, South Australia, New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania and the ACT will all have significantly higher than average daytime and nighttime temperatures over the next week.
Eastern Western Australia, northern South Australia, western NSW and northwestern Victoria are expecting days above 40C with the mercury expected to peak this weekend.
The most extreme heat will hit Western Australia, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania.
Meteorologists warned on Friday that heat from the Pilbara desert region of Western Australia is funneling hot air southeast into southern Australia and Victoria, bringing sweltering temperatures to the states.
Summer is finally here as authorities issue heat wave warnings for six states and territories with parts of Australia already sweltering for days above 45C.
Eastern Western Australia, northern South Australia, western New South Wales and north-western Victoria expect days above 40C with the mercury expected to peak early next week .
State capitals, however, will be spared from the country’s most extreme heat.
“Very extreme heat” is forecast for Saturday, with temperatures 15C or more above average.
While in Queensland, forecasters are predicting the state could see the heaviest rain in years.
“It’s going to be a very heavy rainy weekend,” Sky News Weather meteorologist Alison Osborne said. news.com.au.
“January 2023 could become the wettest month for parts of coastal Queensland since February 2021.”
Southern NSW and Victoria are likely to see some showers on Sunday but will still be hot.
“Very extreme heat” is forecast for Saturday, with temperatures 15C or more above average. While in Queensland, forecasters are predicting the state could see the heaviest rain in years.
Despite heavy rain across much of Queensland, Brisbane may not see a drop of rain and is expected to be spared from wet weather, but still cooler than the southern states with highs of 29° C in the city
Sydney will be spared from the NSW heat wave and the weekend is forecast to be sunny with highs in the 80s and lows around 20°C.
Sydney has now endured nearly a year of days below 30C, breaking a 140-year temperature record with the city just weeks away from breaking the data completely.
The NSW heat wave will prevent the capital from ever reaching the 30°C barrier again, although a sunny weekend is expected with highs of 29°C and lows of around 20°C.
Sydney has now endured almost a year of days below 30C, smashing a 140-year temperature record with the city just weeks away from breaking the data completely.
Weatherzone meteorologist James Rout told Daily Mail Australia there is a real chance the streak could continue for at least another fortnight.
Sydney hasn’t seen a day above 30C since February 21, 2022, and if temperatures don’t reach that mark by January 28, it will officially be an all-time record.
Rout believes that the barrier will finally be broken in late January or early February.
“The long-term outlook shows that temperatures will increase in late January to early February,” he said.
While Greater Sydney will mostly dodge the heat along its coast, the outer western suburbs can expect to climb to 35C by Sunday.
In the ACT, a storm is expected to pass through the capital on Friday before a dry Saturday and another small storm on Sunday.
However, the 30°C barrier will be broken in Canberra with temperatures of 32°C throughout the weekend.
The most extreme heat is reserved for Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania. The heat from the Pilbara region of Western Australia will funnel warm air south-east towards South Australia and Victoria, bringing tropical temperatures.
Perth will be hot and sunny for the next week, with the mercury topping 30°C each day, with clear skies.
Saturday will be the hottest day bringing elevated fire danger to South Australia and Victoria.
In Adelaide, a maximum temperature of 37C is anticipated on Friday and 38C on Saturday.
In Melbourne it will only be 26°C on Friday, but a scorching weekend awaits. On Saturday the city is anticipated to reach 35°C before a boiling 37°C on Sunday.
The capital will cool down on Sunday, with a high of 29C.
However, by Tuesday it will be hot again with a maximum of 39C.
In Melbourne it will only be 26C on Friday, but they are in for a scorching weekend.
On Saturday the city is anticipated to reach 35°C before 37°C on Sunday.
While Hobart will hit 30C on Saturday before cooling down to just 19C on Sunday.