Get ready to sweat, Australia! Temperatures are set to soar to as high as 46C in some parts of the country, with inland Western Australia’s Pilbara region expected to reach the mid-40s over the next few days.
Pilbara Region to Sizzle
According to Sky News Weather meteorologist Rob Sharpe, Paraburdoo is forecast to reach a scorching 46C, just shy of its December record of 48C. Marble Bar is also in for a sizzling few days, with temperatures expected to reach 45C on Wednesday and Thursday.
Extreme Heatwave Conditions Ahead
Some areas of Central Australia are set to experience extreme heatwave conditions over the next few days, with temperatures expected to spike as high as 46C. But don’t worry, the heat won’t be as intense as the last couple of weeks.
South and East to Feel the Heat
The heat will then flow into the south and east of the country, with Adelaide expected to see temperatures spike to 37C on Thursday, putting it on the edge of a low-intensity heatwave. Melbourne and Sydney can expect temperatures in the 30s between Thursday and Sunday, with a warm and humid run ahead.
A Break from the Intense Heat
While it’s still going to be hot, the good news is that heat records are unlikely to be broken in the next few weeks. According to Rob Sharpe, the recent wet weather has slowed down the heating trend in Australia, making it more about rain and storms this month.
Wet and Stormy Weather Ahead
Wet conditions are expected to continue across much of the country, with severe thunderstorms set to hit the eastern states by Tuesday. Stormy and humid conditions are expected for most of northern Victoria, central and northern NSW, and southern Queensland.
Flash Flooding Warning
The Bureau of Meteorology has warned residents of flash flooding across the southern slopes of NSW and eastern Riverina, which could be potentially life-threatening.
Hottest Spring on Record
The warnings come after the bureau revealed that Australia recorded its hottest spring on record. The eastern coast of Australia sweltered through a week-long heatwave, and the region is preparing to brace for more in the first week of summer.
Spring Temperature Records Smashed
The national mean temperature for spring was an estimated 2.08C higher than the baseline 1961-1990 average, making it a far hotter spring than normal. In fact, no state recorded a colder-than-usual spring, with each area of the country recording their top 10 warmest seasons on record.
Wettest Spring on Record
Not only was spring the hottest on record, but it was also the wettest. The mean national rainfall was 92mm, about 28 per cent above the 1961-1990 average. Across the country, September and November were wetter than the seasonal average, though October was drier than average.
States Experience Record-Breaking Rainfall
For most of WA and the Northern Territory, and parts of Queensland, NSW, and SA, rainfall was very much above average for spring. It was the fourth-wettest spring on record for WA, slightly more than double the 1961-1990 baseline average.