Firefighters kept busy across the state as temperatures soar and records fall

UPDATED: IF you couldn’t sleep last night because of the sweltering conditions, you won’t be surprised to learn Hobart had its hottest January night on record.

Vivi and Terry McDonnell, of Lenah Valley, soak up the sun at Sandy Bay. Picture: MATT THOMPSON

IF you couldn’t sleep last night because of the sweltering conditions, you won’t be surprised to learn Hobart had its hottest January night on record.

Bureau of Meteorology senior forecaster Belinda House said the temperature dipped to a low of 23.9C at 1.52am, which is the highest minimum January temperature recorded.

It had already climbed back up to 28C by 8am today, ahead of a top of 32C.

Relief is on its way though, with a cool change and rain expected this afternoon.

The cold front is expected to bring widespread rain and possible thunderstorms to central and eastern parts of the state, with the potential for up to 50mm of rain in some areas.

“That’s it for the hot weather, the forecast for Tuesday [and] Wednesday is 19C and for the remainder of the weeks the low 20s,” Ms House said.

Hobart sweltered through its hottest day in exactly four years as the mercury soared to 36C in the state capital yesterday.

Yesterday was the hottest day in Hobart since January 28, 2014, when the temperature topped 38C.

Bushy Park and Campania both reached highs of 39C.

The heatwave kept firefighters busy, with crews from Tasmania Fire Service, Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service and Sustainable Timber Tasmania battling to contain more than 100 vegetation fires across the state during the Australia Day weekend, despite a total fire ban being declared.

Fires are still burning at locations including Swansea, Blessington, Sassafras, Clarendon Vale and Oatlands, but are listed as contained.

Those who sought relief from yesterday’s heat at Beaumaris — just outside Scamander on the state’s East Coast — were warned to keep out of the water after a great white shark was spotted nearby.

Tasmania Police asked swimmers not to enter the water after the 3m long predator was reported close to shore.

Lenah Valley’s Vivi and Terry McDonnell spent the day lapping up the sunshine at Sandy Bay’s Long Beach.

The pair went for a swim before settling with their feet in the water to read.

“It was great,” Mr McDonnell said. “We spent a few hours down there.

“We love the weather when it’s hot, but I guess we’re not overly used to it. Tasmanian weather — you’ve got to make the most of it when it’s here.”