Heatwave sends mercury soaring to 46C in parts of Australia

Sydney has been lit up by thousands of lightning strikes ahead of a heatwave that’s set to spread out across the country.

Sydney has been hit by tens of thousands of lightning strikes as rain swept across the NSW coast.

More than 34,000 lightning strikes hit the Emerald City on Monday just after 3pm, with the most storm activity hitting Sydney between 7:30pm and 9:30pm.

Locations of 34,027 lightning strikes detected within 100km of Sydney between 3pm and midnight on Monday, December 5. Source: Weatherzone

The evening storms caused the Opera House to cancel the Jack Johnson concert, which was due to take place on Monday night, due to the risk of lightning.

“The lightning and electrical activity in the area posed a significant risk to public safety and at the venue’s direction, we had to stop immediately,” Mr Johnson said on Instagram.

By midnight, several rounds of storms had hit Sydney, producing more than 30,000 lightning strikes within 100km of the city. Source: @ihaig72sydney / Instagram

Monday’s early-summer thunderstorms delivered around 5 to 10mm of rain across the Sydney Basin, with 6.6mm falling at Observatory Hill in the city. Source: @ihaig72sydney / Instagram

The lightning storms hit Sydney before the mercury is forecast to soar in multiple states for the first full week of summer, as a heatwave rolls across the country.

Alice Springs is expected to crack 41C on Tuesday and soar to 42C by Wednesday, forcing residents indoors away from the harsh sun.

Remote parts of Western Australia’s Pilbara region could reach as high as 46C.

In the north of the country, Darwin will stay around the 35C mark, with some parts of the Top End predicted to reach 37C.

Brisbane will be around the 35C mark for most of the week, with thunderstorms possible by the end of the week.

A heatwave will move across the country this week. Picture: Sky Weather

Temperatures will continue to climb as the week progresses. Picture: Sky Weather

Here’s when you can expect the hotter weather to kick in.

NSW

A series of thunderstorms swept across NSW in the last 24 hours, with spectacular lightning storms spotted right the coast of Sydney.

On Wednesday, the temperature will hit 28C in Sydney.

Large crowds are seen at Elwood beach in Melbourne. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Crosling

A group is seen soaking up the sun in Melbourne. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Crosling

A cool change will arrive by late Wednesday, forcing temperatures down by early Thursday.

ACT

In Canberra, the temperature will climb to 26C on Wednesday.

The temperature will plummet closer to 21C, as a cool change sweeps across the southeast by Thursday.

However, warmer days will return by Sunday when the mercury will crack 27C.

Northern Territory

Temperatures of up to 45C are forecast for this week.

A severe to extreme heatwave is expected across most of northern Australia and is predicted to make daily life “extremely uncomfortable” for residents of the region, according to Sky News meteorologist Rod Sharpe.

Alice Springs is likely to crack 41C on Tuesday, and the temperature will peak on Wednesday around 42C.

Tasmania

The southernmost state will likely be the only one spared from the extreme heat this week, as persistent showers keep temperatures cool.

More than 50mm of rain is expected to fall in western Tasmania.

Queensland

Brisbane will top 35C on Tuesday, as a heatwave sweeps across the north of the country.

The mercury will peak at 36C by Thursday when a possible storm will break the hot snap and send temperatures down slightly.

However, the temperature will stay above 26C for the rest of the week.

Queensland Ambulance Service clinical director Tony Harker suggested planning out the day to ensure you weren’t in the sun during the hottest part of the day.

“If you’re not so well, or really old or really young, make sure to keep inside in front of the airconditioning or a fan,” he said.

“If you’ve got older neighbours, go check on them and make sure they are OK.”

Queenslanders cool off at the South Bank beach and walking and cycling next to the Brisbane river. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Tertius Pickard

Melburnians are seen packed at a beach as the mercury soars. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Crosling

Some of the main signs of heat stroke include feeling tired or having a headache.

However, Mr Harker suggested that the best way to know if someone was suffering from heat stroke was to look at their complexion, which will often appear peaky or flushed.

Wet weather is likely to pick up on the east coast from Sunday. Picture: Sky Weather

Western Australia

The west coast will not be spared from the heatwave, as temperatures in Perth will topple 30C on Wednesday.

A possible afternoon storm is expected to break the hot weather, and temperatures will settle in the high 20s for the rest of the week.

South Australia

In Adelaide, the warmest temperature will arrive on Saturday when it is expected to reach 34C.

The chance of showers on Sunday will usher in a cool change that is likely to bring down temperatures next week.

Victoria

Warmer temperatures will be delayed in Victoria where residents can expect them to climb to 26C on Sunday.

These conditions won’t stick around for long either, as a cool change will arrive early next week.

Originally published as Heatwave sends mercury soaring to 46C in parts of Australia