Weekend weather: Victoria, South Australian and Northern Territory set to swelter through a heatwave this weekend
Millions of Australians are set to be hit by a sweltering heatwave sweeping across the south-eastern parts of the country as firefighters battle to contain major blazes.
A burst of hot air caused by northerly winds, which will develop into a low-pressure trough, will send temperatures soaring in Victoria, South Australia and the Northern Territory this weekend.
According to Weatherzone, parts of South Australia will reach a sweltering 40 degrees Celsius, with the extreme heat expected to continue until Monday.
Temperatures in Coober Pedy will reach 43 degrees Celsius, while residents of Roxby Downs and Port Augusta will also warm up on Saturday with temperatures of 41 degrees and 42 degrees Celsius.
The mercury in Adelaide will reach 36 degrees Celsius on Saturday, while temperatures of 33 degrees Celsius are forecast for Sunday.
Temperatures are also likely to reach close to 40 degrees Celsius in northern and southern parts of Victoria due to the hot air mass set to hit the state this weekend.
Mildura in the state’s far north west will soar to 41 degrees Celsius on Saturday, while residents of Bendigo will experience temperatures of 38 degrees Celsius.
Melbourne will also experience temperatures of 38 degrees Celsius on Saturday, before temperatures drop slightly to a top of 37 degrees Celsius on Sunday, followed by a cool change next week.
A burst of hot air, caused by northerly winds, which will develop into a low-pressure trough, will raise temperatures in the southeastern parts of the country (weather map in photo)
The heatwave will also affect areas near the Grampian region in the west of the state.
Exasperated firefighters continue to battle the massive blaze that has destroyed about 76,000 hectares of land in the Grampians National Park.
The fire, which has been raging for several weeks, has affected 40 percent of the national park, about the size of Singapore.
“This is the fifth fire in 20 years, and the third major fire in that park, so the ongoing impact on some species is now starting to emerge,” Victorian Sate Control spokeswoman Reegan Key said.
“So we’ve had aircraft and crews burning back towards the fire… we’ve also had some (food) drops for rock wallabies.”
Locals have been urged to monitor conditions and authorities have urged visitors to stay away from the Grampians National Park, which remains closed until further notice.
The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a severe heatwave warning for several areas including the North East, East Gippsland and the Northern and Central Districts until Monday.
Exasperated firefighters continue to battle the massive blaze that has destroyed about 76,000 hectares of land in the Grampians National Park (pictured)
There are also more than ten fires burning across Western Australia, but all had been downgraded to advisory levels by Friday afternoon.
The heatwave will also affect NSW and the Northern Territory.
Temperatures in Tibbooburra in far north-west NSW and the outback town of Broken Hill in western NSW will reach 40 degrees Celsius on Saturday.
Sydney will reach top temperatures of 29 degrees Celsius on Saturday, before the mercury warms to 31 degrees Celsius on Sunday.
Temperatures will remain in the low to mid 30s in Darwin next week, with highs of 33 degrees Celsius forecast for the weekend.
Bureau of Meteorology meteorologist Johnathan How said weather conditions were not expected to improve until Monday.
Sydney reaches top temperatures of 29 degrees Celsius on Saturday, before the mercury warms to 31 degrees Celsius on Sunday
“Low intensity heatwaves are common at this time of year, but once we get into the severe category, especially with the many warm days and warm nights, some people may find it quite challenging,” Mr How said.
Brisbane
Saturday: Possible shower. Min. 21. Max. 29.
Sunday: Mostly sunny. Min. 20. Max. 30.
Monday: Partly cloudy. Min. 20. Max. 30.
Sydney
Saturday: Sunny. Min. 19. Max. 29.
Sunday: Sunny. Min. 20. Max. 31.
Monday: Mostly sunny. Min. 21. Max. 33.
Temperatures will remain in the low to mid 30s in Darwin next week, with highs of 33 degrees Celsius for the weekend
Melbourne
Saturday: Sunny. Min. 17. Max. 37.
Sunday: Partly cloudy. Min. 22. Max. 38.
Monday: Showers. Min. 18. Max. 23.
Canberra
Saturday: Possible thunderstorms. Min. 12. Max. 33.
Sunday: Partly cloudy. Min. 15. Max. 35.
Monday: Shower or two. Min. 17. Max. 35.
Melbourne will also experience temperatures of 38 degrees on Saturday, after which the temperature will drop slightly to a top of 37 degrees on Sunday.
Hobart
Saturday: Mostly sunny. Min. 13. Max. 28.
Sunday: Shower or two. Min. 15. Max. 22.
Monday: Clean up a shower or two. Min. 16. Max. 20.
Adelaide
Saturday: Partly cloudy. Min. 21. Max. 36.
Sunday: Partly cloudy. Min. 25. Max. 35.
Monday: Shower or two. Min. 17. Max. 35.
Parts of South Australia will reach a sweltering 40 degrees Celsius, with the extreme heat set to continue until Monday, according to the weather zone (weather map pictured)
Perth
Saturday: Sunny. Min. 17. Max. 30.
Sunday: Sunny. Min. 16. Max. 32.
Monday: Sunny. Min. 19. Max. 35.
Darwin
Saturday: Shower or two. Possible thunderstorms. Min. 25. Max. 33.
Sunday: Shower or two. Possible thunderstorms. Min. 25. Max. 34.
Monday: Shower or two. Possible thunderstorms. Min. 24. Max. 33.