Australia: Four seasons in one day: from fires to floods, wind and heat

IT’S the country that can boast four seasons in one day. Today’s weather warnings are living proof and it’s not set to get any better soon.

How much can a Koala bear in this heat? Animal carer at Kilmore Wildlife Shelter, Dr Robyn Coy has a 12 mth old baby Koala that has been saved from the Longwood East fires by WildCare Victoria. The baby koala receives rehydration treatment during the hot weather. Picture: David Caird.

IT’S the country that can boast four seasons in one day.

To prove just how wild and varied our sunburnt country is, here’s today’s Bureau of Meteorology weather warnings from across our land of drought and flooding rain.

In South Australia there’s currently fire weather warnings across a large part of the state as a huge bushfire destroys homes in the Adelaide Hills. The state is experiencing some of the most severe fire risk weather in recent times.

Fire at Humbug Scrub, South Australia. Christmas tree farmer David Hanna fights a fire on his property on Hill road near Kersbrook. Pic Mark Brake

But there’s also a severe thunderstorm warning for people in the Flinders, Mid North, Riverland, Murraylands, Upper South East and parts of the Mount Lofty Ranges, Eastern Eyre Peninsula, Yorke Peninsula, Lower South East, North West Pastoral and North East Pastoral districts.

Fire at Humbug Scrub, South Australia. Pic Mark Brake

Meanwhile, in Queensland, there are moderate and minor flood warnings across Bulloo river, Balonne River, Dawson River and Warrego River systems.

Further south, marine wind warnings are current for Batemans Bay and the Eden coast of NSW, while a storm warning has been issued for the lower western forecast district in areas around Wentworth. Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce damaging winds in the warning area

over the next several hours.

In Victoria it so hot there is currently under a total fire ban as out of control fires take hold across the state.

Meanwhile in the Central, Mallee, South West, Wimmera and parts of the Northern Country and North Central districts a severe thunderstorm warning is current.

How much can a Koala bear in this heat? Animal carer at Kilmore Wildlife Shelter, Dr Robyn Coy has a 12 mth old baby Koala that has been saved from the Longwood East fires by WildCare Victoria. The baby koala receives rehydration treatment during the hot weather. Picture: David Caird.

And the heat is getting to Victorian residents. There have been four recent incidents of children being left in locked cars in the state as the temperatures approach 40C according to AAP.

Ambulance Victoria state health commander Paul Holman said the practice was risking lives, and parents needed a reminder to not duck into a shop and leave their kids in a car.

“I don’t know how many times we have to say: Don’t do it,” Mr Holman said.

“Small children very quickly will become dehydrated and the consequences — we’ve already seen deaths in the past.”

It's hot in Victoria. People have come from far and wide to cool down at Funfields Whittlesea. Stacey 13 and her sister Rebecca 17 from Craieburn. Picture: Adam Elwood

The Northern Territory is waiting to see if the first cyclone is about to form for the season.

There is currently a tropical low developing near the north Kimberley coast of Western Australia which could possibly result in a cyclone developing.

Bureau of Meteorology forecaster Mark Kersemakers told NT News there was an increased chance of cyclones as a result of the trough.

“Most cyclones do form in the monsoon trough, so while it’s in our part of the world there is an increased likelihood of cyclones forming,” he said.

In Western Australia, the same trough has resulted in a flood watch was issued for the Kimberley as fire warnings have been issued for West Pilbara Coast and Exmouth Gulf Coastdistricts, while a monsoon trough lingers in the far north of the state.

So what are we in for moving forward? It looks like more of the same. Get your local 7-day forecast here.