Key Takeaways
- A severe to extreme heatwave is affecting southeastern Australia, with temperatures expected to reach the highest levels seen in many years.
- The heatwave will bring extreme temperatures to coastal areas, with temperatures in the mid to high 40s expected in parts of South Australia and Victoria.
- Multiple records are under threat, including the all-time record for Victoria, with temperatures forecast to reach 48°C in some areas.
- Potentially dangerous fire days are expected, with hot and gusty northerly winds and low dewpoints creating a high-risk environment for fires.
- The heatwave will continue for the rest of the week, with temperatures remaining high in the eastern interior and southeast Australia.
- It is essential to take precautions to stay safe during the heatwave, including staying indoors, staying hydrated, and avoiding strenuous activities during the hottest part of the day.
Introduction to the Heatwave
Much of southeastern Australia is under the influence of an ongoing severe to extreme heatwave, which has already brought multiple consecutive days of temperatures in the low to mid 40s, particularly for inland areas. The heatwave is expected to bring extreme temperatures to coastal areas, with temperatures in the mid to high 40s expected in parts of South Australia and Victoria. The heatwave is being driven by a high-pressure system over the Bass Strait, which is sending hot northerly winds across the region.
Extreme Temperatures Along the Coast
The last few days have seen temperatures see-saw for coastal parts of southern SA and Vic, especially Melbourne. This is due to high pressure over the Bass Strait sending cooler southerly winds across the coast, leading to a massive temperature differential of as much as 25°C at times across the state on Sunday. However, in the coming days, a trough will bring hot northerly winds back to the southeast corner of Australia, causing temperatures to rocket to the mid to high 40s across much of SA and western and central Vic. Currently, Adelaide is forecast to reach 45°C on Monday, with Melbourne forecast to reach 44°C on Tuesday.
Record-Breaking Temperatures
Multiple records are under threat, including the all-time record for Victoria, with temperatures forecast to reach 48°C in some areas. Model guidance is pointing to temperatures reaching the high 40s across parts of northwest Vic, southwest NSW, and eastern parts of SA on Tuesday. The town of Mildura has a forecast of 48°C for Tuesday, which would break the town’s all-time record of 47.2°C, set in 1939. Furthermore, the all-time state record for Victoria is 48.8°C, reached at Hopetoun in 2009, and Hopetoun is also forecast to reach 48°C on Tuesday.
Potentially Dangerous Fire Days
Potentially dangerous fire days are expected, with hot and gusty northerly winds and low dewpoints creating a high-risk environment for fires. The trough previously mentioned will approach southeast Australia, bringing hot north-westerly winds across western parts of Vic and eastern parts of SA. In addition, dewpoints are expected to be in the single digits, meaning the environment will be very dry. Combined with the record-challenging temperatures, these areas could see their worst fire days since the infamous Black Summer of 2019-20. This is not good news for firefighters already battling multiple fires across the region that are not yet under control, particularly in Victoria.
Continuation of the Heatwave
The heatwave will continue for the rest of the week, with temperatures remaining high in the eastern interior and southeast Australia. While the next couple of days are expected to be the hottest for southeast Australia, tomorrow afternoon’s change will only bring relief to southern parts of Vic and SA. Temperatures are still expected to reach at least the high 30s for most of the week for Adelaide and Canberra, as well as inland Vic. Meanwhile, temperatures will continue to exceed 40 degrees across much of the eastern interior right through the working week before a significant cold front is expected to finally bring some relief to areas that will have endured a week-long severe heatwave.
Staying Safe During the Heatwave
Heatwaves are Australia’s deadliest natural disaster, and they can cause problems for anyone who doesn’t take precautions to keep cool, even people who are fit and healthy. The Australian Red Cross has provided advice for staying safe during a heatwave, including staying inside and keeping out of the heat as much as possible, avoiding sport and heavy exercise during peak hours of the day, and drinking plenty of fluids to stay hydrated. It is also essential to keep your home cool by using external shade cloths or blinds to shield the inside of the house from direct sunlight and to use a combination of air conditioning and fans to keep certain rooms in the house cool. Additionally, taking cool showers or baths, splashing yourself with cold water, or using a cool damp cloth to cool down can help to reduce the risk of heat-related illnesses. It is also crucial to avoid direct exposure to the sun and to protect yourself with appropriate clothing, such as loose-fitting, lightweight, and light-colored clothing. Finally, it is essential to keep in touch with friends, neighbors, and relatives, particularly if they are unwell or isolated, and to never leave children or animals in parked vehicles.
