Australia’s capital cities faced a scorching start to the week as a blistering heatwave sent temperatures soaring on the Australia Day public holiday. From Sydney to Melbourne to Adelaide, the mercury rose to uncomfortable levels, prompting extreme weather warnings across much of the country.
Melbourne Melts Under Record-Breaking Heat
Melbourne was the hottest capital city in Australia on Monday, with the temperature hitting a searing 41°C before a late cool change offered some relief. The extreme conditions made it one of Melbourne’s hottest Australia Day public holidays on record.
We could see temperatures get into the high 30s for Adelaide before a cool change, but much of Victoria is likely to see low 40s…and could even see mid-40s along the Murray.
– Dean Narramore, senior meteorologist, Bureau of Meteorology
Sydney Swelters as Heat Heads North
Sydney was also in the grip of the heatwave, reaching a maximum of 31°C on the public holiday Monday. But meteorologists warned that wouldn’t be the end of it, with the hot weather set to push further into New South Wales in the coming days.
“We’re going to see temperatures for many of our inland areas get in the high 30s to low 40s, and that heat will get down to the Sydney area on Tuesday with temperatures in the mid-30s,” said Bureau of Meteorology senior meteorologist Dean Narramore.
Fire Danger Rises as Warnings Issued
The scorching temperatures, combined with dry and windy conditions, prompted total fire bans across large parts of South Australia and Victoria. Authorities warned that any blazes that started would likely be uncontrollable.
- Wimmera, Mallee, South West, Central and North Central districts in Victoria under total fire ban
- Winds of 70-80km/h forecast for fire ban areas
- Lower and Upper South East, Murraylands, Riverland, Mid North and Mount Lofty Ranges fire bans in South Australia
We’re asking people to follow the strict conditions associated with the total fire ban declaration.
– Jason Heffernan, chief officer, Country Fire Authority
Heatwave Conditions to Continue
The Bureau of Meteorology warned that despite a brief reprieve from a cool change, heatwave conditions would likely continue for much of the week ahead. Low-intensity to severe heatwaves were forecast for:
- Western Australia
- Northern Territory
- Western Queensland
- New South Wales
Some of the highest temperatures in the country on Monday were recorded at Birdsville in western Queensland and Moomba in northeast South Australia, both reaching the mid-40s. Birdsville had already hit 35.3°C by 7:20am.
Climate Change Fuels Intense Heat
Meteorologists say the current blast of hot weather is yet another example of how climate change is impacting Australia’s weather patterns. The country’s land surface has already warmed by approximately 1.5°C since 1910.
The climate crisis is making heatwaves longer and more intense and increasing the number of extremely hot days.
– Bureau of Meteorology
As Australians struggle through more scorching days, climate scientists warn that without urgent action to reduce emissions, the number of dangerously hot days each year will only rise further. For now, those in the capitals will be seeking any way they can to beat the heat.
