The NSW fire service braces for three days of sweltering heat with extreme fire danger warnings for numerous regions, total fire bans in place and some schools closed.
Hot and dry conditions are forecast for most of coastal NSW and the central west on Monday, with parts of the state tipped to experience severe conditions through Wednesday.
A widespread heat wave warning has been issued, with temperatures reaching 40 degrees Celsius in some areas, and large parts of the state are under a total fire ban.
The Department of Education has closed 34 schools in areas of increased bushfire risk in the Central Ranges, where extreme fire hazard ratings have been declared.
Temperatures in Sydney are expected to rise to 38 degrees on Monday as the Bureau of Meteorology has predicted extreme fire danger for the Greater Hunter, Central Ranges and Lower Central West Plains.
Those areas can expect hot and dry conditions coupled with fresh and gusty northwesterly winds.
“High-level isolated thunderstorms are possible during the early morning around the southern and central ranges, then develop over the northeastern ranges in the afternoon,” the BOM said.
“Little to no rain is expected with thunderstorms.”
The NSW Rural Fire Service says extreme fire danger extends across much of the state.
There is a total fire ban in effect for the Greater Hunter, Northern Slopes, North Western, Upper and Lower Central West Plains, Central Ranges, and Southern Ranges zones.
The heat wave will also hit parts of Queensland and Western Australia, while parts of Tasmania may see snow.
Heavy rainfall in the Top End continues to pose flood risks and has blocked a major transport route to Western Australia.
The east coast of the country is preparing for the most intense heat wave of this summer so far. Image: Windy.com
Damaging winds will hit western Victoria and southeastern South Australia later on Sunday.
Severe thunderstorms are possible in eastern Victoria and southeastern New South Wales, bringing large hail, damaging gusts of wind and heavy rain that could lead to flash flooding.
Severe thunderstorms could also threaten Tasmania on Sunday evening, with heavy rainfall that could lead to flash flooding, although they are expected to clear by Monday morning.
Sarah Scully, senior meteorologist for the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM), said hot conditions on the East Coast are due to shifting hot north winds coming in front of a cold front.
“The heat will peak across much of Victoria on Sunday with a cold front on the way, and it is expected to move through Adelaide by mid-afternoon and through Melbourne on Sunday evening,” she said.
“For much of NSW it will be hot and windy Monday through Wednesday, increasing the fire risk, particularly around the NSW Ranges and Western Slopes.”
The BOM will issue a fire warning for these regions later on Sunday.
‘We expect low-intensity heatwaves for parts of eastern NSW … while south-east Australia will have a series of cold fronts with temperatures falling well below average,’ Ms Scully said.
“Wednesday there is even a chance of snow over the higher parts of Tasmania.”
Heavy downpours will continue to hit the Top End, courtesy of a monsoon trough descending on Cape York Peninsula above Queensland.
“That’s pulling moisture over northern Australia right now, increasing storm activity,” said Ms Scully.
Sydneysiders, like the Bondi Beach swimmer, will be looking to cool down this week with temperatures rising
Some of the higher elevations in Tasmania, such as Mt Wellington (pictured), can see snow
A number of flood warnings and watches have been issued in the northern parts of the country.
“There are a number of community impacts, very heavy rains in the Top End last week led to the evacuation of a number of communities – it’s actually eased, but that big water that caused those floods last week is flowing downstream.
“This has caused flooding across the Victoria River crossing, the main transportation route between the NT and WA, and it is expected to remain impassable until Thursday.”
Western Australia has had some relief from the heat wave, with some very isolated patches of low-intensity heat waves set to occur over the next week.
Sydney will be sweating through highs of 36C on Monday and 34C on Tuesday weather will remain in the high 20s for the rest of the week and a few showers possible on Saturday.
Melbourne can expect a cool week after the steamy weekend, with highs ranging from 17C to 24C and possible showers on Wednesday.
Brisbane is poised for a week of hot temperatures, with the mercury set to tip above 30°C every day, peaking at 34°C on Wednesday and Thursday. By the end of the week it will be partly cloudy and showers are expected on Friday and Saturday.
Perth is in for another hot week, with maximum temperatures ranging from 27C to 34C, peaking on Tuesday. The weather will be sunny at the start of the week, with showers possible on Wednesday before clearing up again on Friday.
Adelaide will be cloudy, with showers possible on Monday and Wednesday. Temperatures remain relatively cool, hovering around 20°C before rising to a maximum of 25°C on Friday and Saturday.
It will be a gloomy week for Hobart with rain expected from Monday to Wednesday. Cooler temperatures will reach a maximum of 23°C on Monday before dropping to 15°C on Wednesday.
Canberra is in for a week of glorious weather after a stormy weekend, with partly cloudy skies and maximum temperatures ranging from 29C on Monday to 20C on Wednesday.
It will be a very wet week for Darwin, with showers and possible storms expected every day except Friday. Maximum temperatures hover around 30 degrees throughout the week with minimum temperatures of 25C.