Key Takeaways
- Parts of Victoria, New South Wales, and South Australia are expected to experience extreme heatwave conditions, with temperatures reaching the mid-40s in some areas.
- The heatwave is forecasted to be the worst since the 2019-20 Black Summer bushfires, with the Bureau of Meteorology warning of severe and extreme heatwave conditions.
- Fire bans have been issued for certain areas, and residents are being urged to be prepared and follow strict conditions.
- Train delays are expected due to the heat, with V/Line trains running to an alternative timetable.
- Firefighters are concerned about the increased risk of farm fires and grassfires due to the late harvest and dry conditions.
Introduction to the Heatwave
The Bureau of Meteorology is forecasting extreme heatwave conditions for parts of Victoria, New South Wales, and South Australia, with temperatures expected to climb into the mid-40s in some areas. The heatwave is predicted to be the worst since the 2019-20 Black Summer bushfires, with the Bureau warning of severe and extreme heatwave conditions. Cities on the banks of the Murray River, such as Port Pirie, are expected to reach temperatures of 40 degrees Celsius on Tuesday and 45C on Wednesday. Other areas, including Mildura, Swan Hill, and Renmark, are forecasted to hit 44 degrees on Wednesday, with a slight increase on Thursday and Friday.
Temperature Forecast
The mercury is tipped to climb beyond 40C in several areas, including the Latrobe Valley, Albury Wodonga, Bendigo, Horsham, Benalla, and Shepparton. Geelong and Melbourne are forecast to reach 40C and 41C, respectively, on Wednesday, before experiencing a significant drop on Thursday and a rise again on Friday. Senior meteorologist Simon Timke said that overnight conditions between Wednesday and Friday would also be "pretty hot", with little relief from the heat until Saturday. The Bureau of Meteorology is warning of fairly widespread areas experiencing extreme and severe heatwave conditions later in the week, into South Australia and New South Wales.
Fire Bans and Precautions
The Country Fire Authority has already issued a total fire ban for Victoria’s northern country, which includes the municipalities of Campaspe, Greater Bendigo, greater Shepparton, Loddon, Moira, and Strathbogie. CFA chief officer Jason Heffernan is calling on residents to be prepared and follow the strict conditions associated with the total fire ban declaration. He warned that the conditions would make it difficult to contain fires should they ignite, and urged residents to understand how the increased fire risk would impact them and ensure their fire plan covers all possible contingencies.
Transportation Disruptions
V/Line trains will run to an alternative timetable for areas affected by extreme heat this week. The V/Line network will introduce a revised schedule for the areas affected by hot weather on Tuesday and Wednesday, with trains slowing down to 90km/h or less due to steel tracks expanding in the heat. This may result in extended journey times, and some services will be replaced by air-conditioned coaches for all or part of the journey.
Grassfire Concerns
Firefighters are worried about an increased risk of farm fires this week due to a late harvest. CFA members across central and northern Victoria are warning that the late harvest poses an increased fire risk over the next three days, particularly in areas where grasslands border residential developments. The urban-rural interface is of greatest concern, with vast grasslands adjoining new residential areas. Firefighters are also bracing for changing conditions later in the week, with Friday’s forecast still unpredictable.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the upcoming heatwave is expected to bring extreme temperatures and increased fire risk to parts of Victoria, New South Wales, and South Australia. Residents are being urged to be prepared, follow strict conditions, and take precautions to prevent fires. The transportation disruptions and fire bans are a reminder of the severity of the heatwave, and the importance of taking necessary precautions to stay safe. As the heatwave approaches, it is essential to stay informed and follow the latest updates and warnings from the Bureau of Meteorology and local authorities.
