Australia Day weather: ‘Dangerous’ heatwave to push highs to 50C

A heatwave will grip huge parts of the country this Australia Day weekend, and is set to bring some of the hottest days in Aussie history.

Huge parts of Australia are under heatwave warnings this week, with maximum temperatures that are poised to break records.

A sweltering hot air mass spread over the western half of Australia last weekend, pushing the mercury towards Australia’s hottest temperature in history — 50.7C.

Though northwest Australia is usually hot at this time of year, the heatwave is now spreading east, expected to cause another burst of oppressive weather in Sydney from Thursday and threatening to smash records in Queensland.

On Australia Day, the Sydney suburbs could top out at almost 40C.

Huge parts of Australia are forecast to swelter in a heatwave. Picture: Weatherzone.

Over the next few days, through to Australia Day, every mainland state and territory except Victoria will be under heatwave warnings.

Severe heat warnings are in place in parts of Queensland and New South Wales, as well as extreme conditions that are forecast in NSW’s mid north coast and Hunter districts and Queensland’s Channel Country.

The Queensland-South Australia border could also see maximum temperatures exceeding 50C on Thursday.

Queensland may see maximum temperatures reach an highest on Thursday, with the potential to break the state’s record high of 49.5C, reached at Birdsville in 1972.

Widespread temperatures above 40°C are expected across inland and eastern parts of Australia over the next few days, with some inland areas as hot as 49°C . High 30s for #NSW coast. #Heatwave warnings in place for many areas. Details: https://t.co/4W35o8i7wJpic.twitter.com/84gjsgk0kT

— Bureau of Meteorology, Australia (@BOM_au) January 24, 2024

Meanwhile in Sydney, the temperature is expected to climb to 35C in the city on both Thursday and Friday, with highs in the western suburbs expected to edge towards 40C.

The heat is being made worsens as it is combined with a humid air mass, which could make the temperatures in Sydney feel between 5C and 10C hotter than it really is.

A chart from website Weatherzone shows the city’s dew point — used by meteorologists to understand the level of moisture in the air — reaching a record high of 26.8 on Thursday afternoon, making it feel like 40C when it’s really about 35C.

Humidity is set to drive Sydney's "feels like" temperature up to 40C. Picture: Weatherzone.

NSW Police and NSW Health have issued warnings that heat-related illnesses could be fatal.

“In extreme heat, your body’s ability to cool itself down can fail, causing your body temperature to increase to a dangerous level,” NSW Health said.

“If left untreated, this can result in permanent disability or death. Heat stroke requires immediate medical emergency care.”

Large parts of eastern Australia are under heatwave warnings. Red shading indicates warnings for extreme heat. Picture: BOM.

Australia Day forecasts in the capitals

Australia Day will be hot in Sydney with a high of 35C in the city and 39C in Penrith. It is expected to cool down significantly over the weekend, with a high of 26C on Saturday.

The heat is forecast to linger for much longer in Brisbane, climbing to 36C on Saturday. A cool change is not yet on the cards for the city, with highs in the low-to-mid thirties right through to next week.

Perth is expected to be hot this weekend, with a high of 32C forecast on Friday, 33C on Saturday and 29C on Sunday. Temperatures will continue climbing until at least mid-next week, set to reach a high of 37C next Wednesday.

Canberra’s hottest day this week is forecast to be Thursday, when a high of 32C is forecast. The capital will begin to cool from Friday, with a maximum of 27C, before temperatures begin to climb again early next week.

Parts of the country should begin to cool on Australia Day. Picture: Weatherzone.

Darwin could have torrential rain this weekend, with a maximum of 200mm forecast with storms between Friday and Monday. But the totals could be a lot lower if the monsoon rains miss the city. The city will also be hot — 29C on Friday and 31C on Saturday and Sunday.

Melbourne is expected to avoid the heatwave, with highs of 23C forecast on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The heat is expected to ramp up in the city from Monday, when a maximum temperature of 33C is forecast.

It’s a similar situation in Adelaide, where temperate highs of 24C are forecast on Friday and Saturday, before 29C hits on Sunday. The heat is expected to build in the city from next week, with 34C forecast on both Monday and Tuesday.

Tasmania is not forecast to be impacted by the heatwave, with showers and a high of 21C in Hobart on both Friday and Saturday. The hottest day in Hobart is expected to be Monday, when the temperature is set to climb to 28C.

Originally published as Australia Day weather: ‘Dangerous’ heatwave to push highs to 50C