Key Takeaways
- Parts of southern Australia are forecast to experience temperatures above 45C for multiple days in a row this week.
- The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has warned of a "most significant" heatwave in six years for south-eastern Australia.
- Large areas of the country, spanning over 3,500km, have been placed under severe to extreme heatwave warnings from Wednesday to Saturday.
- Extreme heat has raised warnings of extreme fire danger, with wind and dry lightning forecast to add to the risk by Friday for parts of South Australia and Victoria.
- Residents are advised to take precautions to stay cool, stay hydrated, and stay indoors, especially in areas with extreme heatwave warnings.
Introduction to the Heatwave
Parts of southern Australia are bracing themselves for a severe heatwave, with temperatures expected to soar above 45C for multiple days in a row. The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has warned that this heatwave is likely to be the most significant one to hit south-eastern Australia in six years. A large swathe of the country, spanning over 3,500km from Western Australia’s north-west to Tasmania’s north-east, has been placed under severe to extreme heatwave warnings from Wednesday to Saturday. The heatwave is expected to bring extremely hot temperatures, with some areas forecast to experience temperatures 8-16 degrees above average for January.
The Cause of the Heatwave
The heatwave is caused by a trough that is dragging hot air from northern Western Australia and the Northern Territory down into the south-east of the country. This hot air has been building up in the region for weeks and is now being pulled down into the southern states. The heat is expected to peak between Wednesday and Friday, with parts of Victoria and New South Wales under extreme heatwave warnings. The prolonged period of heat is due to a strong high-pressure system to the east of Australia, which is causing a blockage in the flow of weather and preventing the heat from moving swiftly from west to east.
Temperature Forecasts
The temperature forecasts for the affected areas are extreme, with some areas expected to experience temperatures above 45C for multiple days in a row. Port Augusta, for example, is forecast to reach 46C on Thursday, while towns along the Murray River, such as Mildura and Echuca, are expected to see multiple days of temperatures above 44C. Coastal parts of South Australia and Victoria are also forecast to reach or near 40C for several days in a row, with Adelaide expected to reach 41C on Wednesday and Melbourne expected to reach 41C on Wednesday and 38C on Friday.
Extreme Heatwave Conditions
The extreme heatwave conditions are expected to have a significant impact on the affected areas, with the potential to topple January records. The nights are also expected to be warm, with temperatures 8-14C above average, particularly through inland areas. This prolonged period of heat has prompted warnings of severe to extreme heatwave conditions for many areas. The BOM has advised residents to take precautions to stay cool, stay hydrated, and stay indoors, especially in areas with extreme heatwave warnings.
Fire Danger
The heatwave has also raised warnings of extreme fire danger, with wind and dry lightning forecast to add to the risk by Friday for parts of South Australia and Victoria. A cool change is expected to arrive by the weekend, but ahead of its arrival, fire danger is likely to increase, with the potential for dry lightning and gusty winds. The BOM has warned of widespread extreme fire danger on Friday across South Australia and Victoria, moving into eastern Victoria and southern and eastern New South Wales on Saturday.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the heatwave forecast for southern Australia is a significant event that requires attention and precautions from residents. The extreme temperatures, prolonged period of heat, and potential for fire danger all contribute to a high-risk situation. Residents are advised to take necessary precautions to stay safe, including staying cool, staying hydrated, and staying indoors, especially in areas with extreme heatwave warnings. The BOM will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as necessary.