When Australia’s heatwave will end — don’t get excited expert warns
AS much of Australia experiences blistering heat and residents look for a cool change, a weather expert warns the end may not be in sight for some time to come.
AUSTRALIA is experiencing a blistering summer heatwave, that doesn’t look set to end any time soon.
Across the country residents have been sweltering in scorching temperatures from the high 30s and into the 40s.
Andrea Peace from the Bureau of Meteorolgy said the heatwave has been caused by a high sitting in the middle level of the atmosphere. That high is preventing cooler frontal systems from pushing the hot air out.
But if you were hanging out for the cooler months to bring an end to this weather you may have to wait a little longer according to Martin Babakian, a consultant meteorologist and conjoint lecturer at Newscastle University.
“I don’t think it’s going to end, I think it’s going to carry on until May,” Mr Babakian told News Corp Australia.
“We’re going to see temperatures above average in April and May, the conditions will be warmer and warmer.”
While the current heatwave is not unusual for this time of year, the prolonged heat to come is new Mr Babakian said, who added that climate change was to blame.
“Definitely climate change is playing an important role,” he said.
“The dynamic of the atmosphere is changing and this [the heatwaves] are going to become part of it.”
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
South Australia is baking under scorching temperatures across the state. Today will see a top of 42C. The SES has issued an extreme heat warning for the state with conditions described as very hot, humid and sunny. It will also be windy with northeast to northwesterly winds increasing to 35-50km/h across eastern parts during the morning. A severe fire danger is forecast for the following forecast districts: North East Pastoral, Riverland and Murraylands
The Country Fire Service has advised residents to: action their Bushfire Survival Plan, monitor the fire and weather situation through the local radio station, www.cfs.sa.gov.au, and www.bom.gov.au and call 000 (Triple Zero) in an emergency.
There is no relief in sight from the hot conditions with a top of 39 degrees tomorrow followed by 37 on Saturday. The cool change will hit on Sunday when the tempatrue drops to 25 and cloudy.
South Australians were left fuming after power was deliberately cut amid soaring temperatures to 40,000 households and businesses.
NEW SOUTH WALES
After two days of intense rain which saw flash flooding in some parts of the state, Sydney is set to swelter through four days of high heat.
Today the temperature will reach a top of 29 degrees in the city with winds northerly 15 to 25km/h turning northeasterly 20 to 30km/h in the late afternoon. Tomorrow will reach 36C followed by 39 on Saturday and 38 on Sunday. The cool change won’t come into effect until Monday when it drops to 26C with a 60 per cent chance of showers.
QUEENSLAND
Brisbane will experience temperatures in the mid to high 30s over the next few days. Today will see a top of 30C followed by 32 tomorrow, 36 on Saturday, 38 on Sunday, 37 on Monday and 29 on Tuesday and Wednesday.
And there is no relief in sight. The Climate Council’s severe weather report found Queensland was in line for an increased number of 35C-plus days, more frequent thunderstorms and more intense cyclones during the coming years.
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Perth has received a much needed cool change bringing rain and relief to emergency services fighting a bushfire.
The bushfire is threatening lives and homes on Perth’s south-eastern fringe after it started in Bedfordale. The fire is burning in a semi-rural area on the eastern side of South Western Highway had been moving fast in a westerly direction, the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) said. The fire is now stationary but remains out of control and unpredictable, DFES said. The emergency warning applies to people east of South Western Highway, south of Rails Crescent and north of Linton Street North in Bedfordale, Wungong and Byford, in the City of Armadale and the Shire of Serpentine-Jarrahdale.
“You are in danger and need to act immediately to survive. There is a threat to lives and homes,” DFES said.
Perth is now bracing for thunderstorms over the next six days. The temperature is a cool 20C with rain today and over the next seven days. The temperature will slowly increase throughout the week until a high of 30 on Monday and Tuesday.
BOM issued a severe weather warning for damaging winds, heavy rainfall and damaging surf for people in the Pilbara and parts of the Gascoyne districts.
VICTORIA
Melbourne is bracing for a hot and mostly sunny day with a top of 37C, but a cool afternoon change will bring relief. A milder southerly change 20 to 30km/h will hit this afternoon but it will remain humid with a slight 20 per cent chance of a thundery shower about the outer northern and western suburbs this afternoon.
BOM has issued a severe fire danger for the following forecast districts: Mallee, Wimmera and Northern Country.
The rest of the week will see temperatures of 26, 28 and a chilly 19C on Sunday and Monday.
Originally published as When Australia’s heatwave will end — don’t get excited expert warns
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