Summer 2014-15 weather forecast: Bushfires, heatwaves and severe heat

HEATWAVES, bushfires and not a lot of rain. The latest severe weather reports says the whole country is looking at a scorching summer.

Preview: Bondi Beach was already packed in September and summer’s still a long way off.

AUSTRALIA is headed for its third consecutive severe summer with temperatures set to hit way above average bringing increased risk of bushfires, heatwaves and not much rain, a new report has revealed.

If you thought last summer was hot, you’re not wrong. Australia has sweltered through record warm temperatures over the past two and a half years with 2013 our warmest year on to date. And the heat’s not going to let up any time soon according to the Sky News Severe Weather Report, released today.

Preview: Bondi Beach was already packed in September and summer’s still a long way off.

Temperatures are likely to hit more than 10 degrees above average over summer 2014-15.

“The distinguishing feature of this upcoming severe weather season will be heat, and we're expecting above average temperatures across the whole country,” Sky’s chief meteorologist Tom Saunders told news.com.au.

“We can’t predict exactly how much but we’re expecting a scorching summer.”

Average temperatures are set to soar. Pic: Sky News Weather

The report has forecast another very hot summer with temperatures “likely to remain above average across virtually the entire country”, the Sky News report reveals.

The report warns severe temperatures would lead to “a heightened risk of bushfires and heatwaves”.

Heatwaves are predicted across the country. Canberra, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth are all expected to be hit with at least one or two periods of more than five days where temperatures exceed five degrees above average.

The warning comes at the beginning of the bushfire danger period, with NSW Rural Fire Service yesterday warning those in bushfire zones to begin to prepare their homes.

We’ve already had a preview of what’s to come with maximum temperatures for September well above average.

Reaching up to 35.5 degrees, Sydney had its hottest two consecutive days on record earlier this week.

Jocelyn Seaman and Alan Seaman are among victims of last year’s severe bushfires and have begun rebuilding their home at Winmalee in the Blue Mountains. Pic: Ruttyn Sam

Originally published as Summer 2014-15 weather forecast: Bushfires, heatwaves and severe heat