A sweltering heatwave is about to hit the country, with millions of Aussies warned to seek shelter as one state prepares for disastrous weather, including another cyclone.
Parts of the ACT, NSW, South Australia and Victoria are expected to reach 40 degrees Celsius on Sunday.
The same weather was experienced by Western Australians last week.
Queensland is facing a trifecta of wild weather, with severe flooding in the state’s northwest, heatwaves in the southeast and another tropical cyclone possibly forming in the Coral Sea – making it the third of the season.
Parts of the ACT, NSW, South Australia and Victoria are expected to reach highs of 40 degrees Celsius on Sunday
Temperatures are expected to rise in Sydney, with western suburbs such as Parramatta and Penrith reaching 39 degrees Celsius. Meanwhile, temperatures in Melbourne will reach 37 degrees Celsius and people in Adelaide will feel a top of 36 degrees
Temperatures are expected to rise in Sydney, with western suburbs such as Parramatta and Penrith reaching 39 degrees Celsius.
Meanwhile, temperatures in Melbourne will reach 37 degrees Celsius and people in Adelaide will feel a top of 36 degrees.
And it’s not just the capitals that are feeling the heat, as the regions are set for rising temperatures, with conditions reaching their peak on Sunday.
Renmark in eastern South Australia will reach a whopping 44 degrees Celsius, while Mildura in western Victoria will reach a maximum of 43 degrees Celsius.
Temperatures are forecast to be lower for most of South Australia and Victoria on Monday, but western Sydney won’t escape the heat with temperatures of 39 degrees.
Meanwhile, many people on the West Coast have had some relief after last week’s heat wave.
Highs will reach 27 degrees Celsius in Perth on Sunday, but conditions will remain hot in the northern part of Western Australia.
In Queensland, a tropical low in the Coral Sea could develop into a cyclone next week.
Senior meteorologist Felim Hanniffy from the Bureau of Meteorology said Courier mail On Wednesday, the chance of the cyclone developing will increase by 10 percent.
The chance will increase again to ‘moderate’ on Thursday and Friday.
However, it is unknown what trajectory it will follow and whether it will make landfall. Some suggest it could make a coastal crossing next weekend.
“The system is expected to take a more westerly course towards the Queensland coast next week, but there is still significant uncertainty as to whether we will see any land fall,” Mr Hanniffy said.
Mr Haniffy believes some scenarios could mean a coastal crossing will take place later in the week or possibly over the weekend.
More than 600mm of heavy rainfall has already fallen in Queensland’s Gulf region in three days as a result of former Tropical Cyclone Kirrily
Several weeks of flooding is forecast in western Queensland (photo from the Coomera River in early January)
He said the BoM will have a better idea of where the cyclone is headed by mid-week.
More than 600mm of heavy rainfall has already fallen in Queensland’s Gulf region in three days as a result of former Tropical Cyclone Kirrily.
The wild weather closed highways and left communities isolated.
Mr Hanniffy told The Courier Mail the system was heading towards south-west Queensland.
“We will see a reduction in the risk of heavy rain as it clears, but we are still likely to see significant extended flooding across western Queensland,” he said.
“You’re probably looking at multi-week floods as the flood peaks move down between river systems.”
Mr Hannify said the south-east can expect a “low-intensity heatwave”, with high humidity making it feel warmer.
Brisbane is expected to reach 33 degrees Celsius on Tuesday, with temperatures not falling below 30 degrees Celsius for the rest of the week.
Health professionals have urged people to stay cool, covered and avoid sun exposure, which can not only cause short-term pain but also lead to skin cancer.
The North Adelaide Women’s and Children’s Hospital has treated 15 patients for severe sunburn in recent weeks.
Doctor Bernard Carney told it 7News parents and caregivers should be careful with children in the sun.
‘It is incredibly painful for children to be treated for sunburn. They often have severe pain and need to change bandages regularly,” he said.