Australia weather: Dramatic shift as heatwave turns to rain

A sudden cool change is set to lower temperatures by 15C for millions of Aussies, but at the cost of a surprise rain event.

A cool change is on the way for some Aussies, but only as the weather makes way for a dramatic rain event.

South Australia, like much of the country, has sweltered through an early summer heatwave that saw temperatures in the state’s north reach 46C.

Farther south in Adelaide, the mercury still rose to 33C on Thursday and is expected to do so again before the weekend.

Catastrophic fire danger warnings are in place for large parts of SA, with the Bureau of Meteorology citing “very hot, dry and unstable conditions with strong to gale force north-westerly winds”.

Maximum temperatures in SA on Wednesday. Picture: Weatherzone.

But that’s all set to change this weekend as a dramatic wet weather event threatens heavy rain, severe thunderstorms and damaging winds.

Seven-day totals of between 100 and 200mm are expected in Adelaide and its surrounding areas, according to Weatherzone.

The drastic shift is likely to be most pronounced around the apex of the Spencer Gulf.

Temperatures in Port Augusta, on the eastern shores of the Spencer Gulf, are forecast to reach the mid-40s on Friday before the town is pummelled by rain and the maximum temperature plummets to just 20C.

Adelaide, too, will likely see heavy rain this weekend and maximum temperatures that struggle to break 20C.

Rain is expected to lash Adelaide and southern SA. Picture: Weatherzone.

Cool changes are on the cards for most of the other capital cities, too.

Perth’s cool change came earlier this week as the heatwave moved east. Its maximum temperature is forecast to reach 26C on Friday, before the city warms up to the low-30s through to next week.

The heat is expected to peak in Melbourne on Friday, when the temperature is forecast to climb to 34C, with a potential thunderstorm. The rain is expected to push down temperatures from Saturday, when the maximum is just 20C.

Sydney’s hottest day this week will be Saturday, when a high of 39C is expected. Sydney’s cool change will come slightly later, on Sunday, when the maximum is expected to drop to just 26C with a medium chance of showers.

Canberra is forecast to follow a similar weather pattern, with a maximum temperature of 37C on Saturday. By Sunday, the high is forecast to have dropped back down to a more seasonal 28C.

Brisbane escaped the worst of this week’s heatwave but remains characteristically balmy at this time of year. Maximum temperatures in the Queensland capital are pegged at between 30C and 32C for the rest of the next week, with minimums of between 21C and 22C.

It’s a similar situation in Darwin, where the wet season makes for fairly consistent weather. The maximum temperature is forecast at 34C every day for the next week, with showers and possible storms each day.

Tasmania was the only state that escaped the heatwave entirely, with maximum temperatures in Hobart forecast at a mild 18-24C this week. Mornings are still chilly, with lows of between 8C and 18C.

Originally published as Australia weather: Dramatic shift as heatwave turns to rain