Wild Weather Wreaks Havoc Across Australia’s South and East: Cyclone-Force Winds, Sweltering Heat, and Total Fire Bans
- New South Wales residents face Extreme Fire Danger as temperatures soar towards 40°C, with total fire bans declared across several regions.
- Victoria and South Australia are bracing for cyclone-strength winds, with gusts reaching up to 120kph, leading to power outages and property damage.
- Racegoers evacuated from marquees as strong winds hit Victoria, with similar gusts reported in South Australia, causing widespread disruptions.
In a day of wild weather, Australia’s south and east are bearing the brunt of Mother Nature’s fury. Temperatures in New South Wales are soaring towards 40°C, with total fire bans declared across several regions. NSW RFS Commissioner Trent Curtin warned of high fire danger, urging residents to be fire aware and have plans in place. “We’re preparing ourselves for an above-average bushfire season this year,” he said.
Meanwhile, Victorians and South Australians are bracing for cyclone-strength winds, with gusts reaching up to 120kph. A severe weather warning has been issued for nearly the entirety of Victoria, with damaging winds expected to batter the state’s south coast. “We haven’t seen wind gusts of this nature widespread for some time,” said Bureau of Meteorology senior meteorologist Kevin Parkin.
In Victoria, racegoers were evacuated from marquees as strong winds hit the state, with similar gusts reported in South Australia, causing widespread disruptions. The winds have led to power outages, property damage, and transport disruptions, with residents advised to take necessary precautions to ensure their safety.
Senior meteorologist Miriam Bradbury said temperatures were tipped to reach close to 40°C across large parts of NSW, with Sydney’s Observatory Hill reaching 36°C.
“We may potentially see some of the warmest October days on record and new records set in the broader Sydney metro area if we see those high temperatures reaching into those high 30s,” she said.
As the weather system moves east, residents are advised to stay informed and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety.
With the wild weather expected to continue throughout the day, it’s crucial to stay up-to-date with the latest forecasts and warnings.