The south-eastern parts of Australia are about to be hit by an intense heatwave, with temperatures set to rise up to 15 degrees above average in November.
Bureau of Meteorology senior meteorologist Angus Hines said “scorching heat” is expected this weekend, with bursts of intense heat as north-easterly winds bring hot air across southern regions.
“The sharpest focus of the heat today is in Victoria,” he said.
‘Yesterday it was South Australia where there were widespread high temperatures.
“Today Victoria is warming, along with Tasmania, New South Wales and parts of the ACT.”
Mr Hines said Melbourne should expect a high of 34 degrees Celsius on Friday before warming to 36 degrees Celsius on Saturday.
“Overnight temperatures are likely to remain around 20 degrees, with a low around 22 or 23 degrees,” he said.
‘While that is typical for northern Australia, it is unusual for the far south and is likely to result in sticky nights.’
The heatwave will reach its peak in Victoria and Tasmania on Friday and Saturday before temperatures start to cool.
“The second half of the weekend will see cooler weather and some rain,” Mr Hines said.
A heatwave will hit most of southeastern Australia this weekend, with many places turning warmer on Friday
Aussies in many parts of the South East are being warned that extreme heat is coming and they should stay cool (photo of beachgoers in Melbourne)
‘While it won’t be a dramatic cold change, temperatures will drop by 5 to 8 degrees and return to near-average levels.’
Sydney can expect the extreme heat later than other parts of the South East.
“The weekend will be pleasant with lots of sunshine and temperatures in the low 20s,” he said.
‘While not cold, the real heat will hit Sydney on Sunday or Monday, with temperatures reaching the 30s.
“The western suburbs will feel the heat more intensely.”
While much of Queensland is currently experiencing rain, areas such as southern Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Tweed Heads will see clearer skies.
Melbourne
Friday: Mostly sunny day, becoming cloudy in the evening. Wind from the north 15 to 20 km/h, light in the early afternoon. Maximum 34.
Saturday: Partly cloudy. There is some chance of showers in the late afternoon and evening. Late cool change. Wind northerly 20 to 30 km/h, turning southerly 15 to 25 km/h in the evening. Min. 23 Max. 36.
Sunday: Cloudy. High chance of showers. Light wind. Minimum 19 Maximum 23.
Melbourne hits 34 degrees Celsius on Friday and hits 36 degrees Celsius on Saturday (pictured from Port Melbourne Beach)
Sydney
Friday: Sunny. Light winds coming from a northeasterly direction during the day, 15 to 25 km/hour. Maximum 26.
Saturday: Sunny. Chance of fog in the west in the early morning. Light winds, 20 to 30 km/h northeast, mid day, then light late evening. Minimum 17 Maximum 28
Sunday: Sunny. Light winds, moderate to 15 to 20 km/h in the morning then northeasterly to 20 to 30 km/h during the day. Minimum 19 Maximum 29
Brisbane
Friday: Partly cloudy. Very high chance of showers. The chance of thunder. Wind east to southeast 15 to 25 km/h, weak in the evening. Maximum 24.
Saturday: Partly cloudy. Moderate chance of showers, probably in the morning and afternoon. Light winds, east to southeast 15 to 20 km/h during the middle of the day, then light in the late evening. Minimum 19 Maximum 27.
Sunday: Small chance of showers in the morning. Mostly sunny afternoon. Light winds, easterly at 15 to 20 km/h during the day, then light in the evening. Minimum 18 Maximum 28.
Adelaide
Friday: Partly cloudy. Wind northeasterly 15 to 25 km/h, trending northerly in the morning and turning easterly to northeasterly 15 to 20 km/h in the late afternoon. Maximum 36.
Saturday: Cloudy. Very high chance of showers. The chance of thunder. Winds from northwest to northeast up to 20 km/h, trending west to southwest early in the morning and becoming southeast to southwest by mid-day. Min. 23 Max. 29.
Sunday: Cloudy. Small chance of showers, probably in the morning. The wind will blow weakly at 15 to 20 km/h in the afternoon and become weak in the evening. Minimum 18 Maximum 25.
Perth
Friday: Partly cloudy. Light winds, south-westerly 15 to 25 km/h in the morning, then light in the late evening. Maximum 23.
Saturday: Sunny. Wind east to southeast 15 to 25 km/h, turning south to southwest 15 to 20 km/h in the early afternoon, then light in the late evening. Min. 13 Max. 28.
Sunday: Sunny. Wind east to northeast 15 to 20 km/h, turning to southwest 15 to 25 km/h in the morning then southward in the evening. Min. 16 Max. 31.
Hobart
Friday: Partly cloudy. Light winds, southeasterly 15 to 20 km/h later in the afternoon, then light in the evening. Maximum 23.
Saturday: Cloudy. Moderate chance of showers, probably in the afternoon and early evening. Light wind. Min. 13 Max. 28.
Sunday: Cloudy. Small chance of showers, probably in the morning. Light wind. Minimum 14 Maximum 19.
Sydney’s hottest day is Sunday, but warm weather will continue until mid-week (pictured of swimmers at Bondi)
Darwin
Friday: Partly cloudy. High chance of showers and a chance of thunderstorms, probably early in the morning and again in the afternoon. Light wind. Maximum 33.
Saturday: Partly cloudy. High chance of showers, probably in the morning and afternoon. The chance of thunder. Light wind. Min. 25 Max. 33.
Sunday: Partly cloudy. High chance of showers, probably in the afternoon. The chance of thunder. Light wind. Minimum 25 Maximum 32.
Canberra
Friday: Mostly sunny. Light wind. Maximum 30.
Saturday: Sunny. Light wind, afternoon westerly 15 to 20 km/h during the day, then light in the evening. Min. 13 Max. 33.
Sunday: Partly cloudy. Light winds, moderate to 15 to 20 km/h during the day, then light in the evening. Min. 14 Max. 34.