Heatwave blasts Northern Australia while cold front could linger in south and east

The heatwave in Australia’s north will continue for a few days, while other states will shiver through an unexpected cold front.

The “relentless” heatwave scorching Australia’s northwest will continue into next week, but parts of the south and east will shiver through starkly different conditions.

The temperature in Darwin is set to remain around 35C until the onset of storms late on Tuesday, while Alice Springs will be blasted with two more days of 42C heat before some small relief with temperatures dropping into the low 30s from Monday.

Northern WA had recorded the highest temperatures from the heatwave early on Saturday, with the mercury rising to 43.9C at Wyndham Airport and 43.6C at Marble Bar.

A searing heatwave continues to drive temperatures into the mid-40s in northern WA and the Northern Territory. Picture: Bureau of Meteorology

The heatwave could reach its peak on Sunday, with temperatures expected to hit 46C at Marble Bar and 45C at Fitzroy Crossing on Monday before possible storms roll in.

Sky News Weather presenter Rhiannon Elston said NT and northern WA residents would have to manage through at least three more days of the “relentless” extreme heat.

“We are still seeing heatwave conditions across Darwin at the moment. They will persist until around Tuesday when we see the next batch of wet weather moving in,” Ms Elston said.

The outlook was far better for Perth residents, where sunny conditions will reign for all of next week with temperatures between 25 and 33C.

A milder weekend for SE Aus, before a cold front sweeps over from Sunday with widespread showers, storms and a return to cooler #summer weather. Minor Flooding possible in parts of #Vic and #NSW.

Even colder from mid-week with another front ❄️

Latest: https://t.co/cSpwYM0qFWpic.twitter.com/TljB8iYznl

— Bureau of Meteorology, Australia (@BOM_au) December 10, 2022

The Bureau of Meteorology issued a severe thunderstorm warning for Central Queensland on Saturday, with large hail, damaging winds and heavy rain forecast for the region.

Residents living in parts of Central Coast and Whitsundays, Central Highlands and Coalfields and Capricornia Forecast Districts should expect to feel the brunt of the weather system, as thunderstorms move north over eastern Queensland.

“Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding over the next several hours in parts of the Capricornia and Central Highlands and Coalfields districts,” the Bureau stated on Saturday.

Midweek showers will spoil the summer fun for Brisbane residents, but two mostly sunny days of 29C on Thursday and Friday will bode nicely for the cricket Test match starting at the Gabba on Saturday.

Sydney’s weather outlook for the week appears relatively stable, with forecast showers on Monday only likely to be a “one-day affair”, Ms Elston said.

“Temperatures will hover in the 20s for the rest of the week,” she said.

Yet another cold front will sweep across capital cities in the nation’s south, sending temperatures spiralling on Monday in Adelaide, Melbourne, Hobart and Canberra.

Melbourne has been plagued by cold, wet and wild conditions since October. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Crosling

The mercury will dip as low as 13C in Hobart on Wednesday, with the Bureau of Meteorology predicting rainfall of up to 10mm on both Wednesday and Thursday.

Melbourne could have between 6 and 15mm of rain on Monday according to the Bureau, with the unpleasant weather unlikely to subside until after next weekend.

After light showers in the first half of next week, Adelaide’s weather will recover slightly for partly cloudy conditions with temperatures in the low 20s until the weekend.

Canberra has an 80 per cent chance of showers on Monday, with cool temperatures between 17 and 19C to linger for the remainder of the week.

Originally published as Heatwave blasts Northern Australia while cold front could linger in south and east