HEATWAVE HELL: Eastern Australia Braces for 40-Degree Temperatures as Sizzling Airmass Sweeps In
- Temperatures set to soar above 40 degrees in Melbourne and Adelaide this week
- Heatwave to bring four days of sweltering heat to Sydney, peaking at 36 degrees on Saturday
- Weather experts warn of extreme heat conditions, with showers and cooler weather expected by the weekend
Australia’s eastern states are bracing for a scorching heatwave that’s set to bring temperatures above 40 degrees to Melbourne and Adelaide this week. The hot airmass, which has been building up over Western Australia, is expected to hit South Australia and Victoria by Wednesday, bringing with it extreme heat conditions.
“While Wednesday stands out as the hottest day of the week for both Adelaide and Melbourne, there is a chance that Adelaide could reach 40 degrees again on Thursday with the hot air mass expected to linger over SA’s south,” warned Tim Woebbeking, a meteorologist at Weatherzone.
Melbourne is expected to feel the heat on Thursday and Friday, with maximum temperatures of 30 degrees and 35 degrees respectively. But it’s Adelaide that’s set to bear the brunt of the heatwave, with Thursday peaking at a sizzling 39 degrees and Friday forecast to reach 38 degrees.
Sydney won’t escape the heat either, with four days of sweltering temperatures starting on Wednesday. Although the harbour city won’t see temperatures hit 40 degrees, the mercury is expected to peak at 36 degrees on Saturday.
But there’s relief in sight, with showers and cooler weather expected to sweep in by the weekend. Sunday is forecast to drop to a relatively cool 21 degrees in Melbourne, with up to five millimetres of rainfall expected in Sydney.
As the heatwave approaches, residents are being urged to take precautions to stay safe. “It’s going to be a hot and uncomfortable week, so make sure to stay hydrated, stay indoors during the hottest part of the day, and check on vulnerable neighbours and relatives,” said Woebbeking.