Aussie capital breaks record as mega heatwave hits

One Australian capital has been hotter for longer than ever before but it’s not the only capital that will be sweltering this weekend.

A huge heatwave more than 2500 kilometres long stretching up much of the Western Australian coast is already record breaking – and it could break a few more before the weekend is out.

It comes as a second heatwave rolls through South Australia, Victoria and Tasmania bringing sticky, humid conditions while drenching rains could cause flooding in SA.

But it’s Perth that tops the leaderboard for most oppressive state capital. Friday could see the mercury reach a blistering 41C with another 40C day expected on Saturday.

That level of heat and the length of time the hot weather has hung around is already off the charts.

“This summer, the West has seen eight days over 40C, and we’re likely to see at least one more over the next couple of days,” said Sky News Weather meteorologist Rob Sharpe.

“Eight is already a record for the summertime. But this individual heatwave is also potentially record breaking. We’ve seen three days in a row now above 40C; today is likely to get above 40C. But tomorrow, the sea breeze will come in slightly earlier so it’s touch and go whether or not we’ll have a fifth day in a row over 40C,” he said.

“But if we do that, it’d be the first time on record for Perth.”

On Sunday, Perth could fall to a mere 37C high but it looks like 30C plus maximums will remain for the next seven days.

Head further north and its gets even hotter. Exmouth could see 46C on Sunday.

The Bureau of Meteorology has classed much of the heatwave as “severe”. The definition of a heatwave is unusually hot maximum and minimum temperatures over a three-day period at a location.

Stream more environment news live & on demand with Flash, Australia’s biggest news streaming service. New to Flash? Try 14 days free now >

Heatwave conditions are expected across many populated parts of Australia. Picture: BOM.

Heatwave for Southern Australia too

Another heatwave is stretching from Adelaide to Melbourne and down into Tasmania.

“It will build up a little bit more for Melbourne as it eases back to Adelaide over the next few days,” said Mr Sharpe.

“And it’s going to be a fairly long lasting heatwave for Tasmania and Victoria and it’s going to become even more humid into next week.”

In Melbourne, the mercury will peak at 31C on Friday and then steadily climb to 34C on Monday. Overnight lows will be around the high-teens or low twenties.

It will be dry in Hobart and getting warmer. A high of 25C on Friday and then hitting 27C on Sunday with mid-teen minimums.

South Australia is looking at lots of rain as a trough parks itself over central parts of the state for the next few days.

That heavy rainfall will be first focused over the west coast and then the Eyre Peninsula extending into the pastoral districts.

These regions are now on flood watch with significant inundation a very real risk.

Some places could see 50-100mm with isolated falls of 150mm in the next three days. Average rainfall for those areas is between 50-100mm all summer.

The wettest day for Adelaide could be Sunday with up to 20mm falling.

Adelaide won’t miss the heat either, with the city tottering around maximums of 35C until Sunday when the mercury could fall just below 30C.

Heatwaves and drenching rains could be a feature of this weekend. Picture: Sky News Weather

Much more manageable on the east coast

Warming up in Canberra. A high of 24C on Friday and then 25C maximums on the weekend and up to 28C on Monday. Minimums should be around 11C.

Sydney is now stuck around the 25-27C high level for the next few days and the weekend, with warmer days next week but still average for January.

Some rain in Brisbane but not so heavy for the weekend. Temperatures will stall around the 28C mark and 20C at dawn until the weekend is done.

Darwin will see heavy rain and storms most days with between 10-20mm of rain. The city will top out at 32C.