Next week, Australia is poised to experience unprecedented heat levels, with the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) forecasting widespread heatwave conditions across the nation.

BoM meteorologist Christie Johnson highlighted the severe weather ahead, noting, “Severe to extreme heatwave conditions are expected, potentially bringing extreme to catastrophic fire danger to parts of southeastern Australia in the coming week.”

The heatwave is predicted to intensify in southeastern Australia, with Victoria anticipating record-setting temperatures.

Johnson elaborated on the looming heat, stating, “As we approach the new week, the heat will intensify over South Australia, New South Wales, and especially the northwestern regions of Victoria. Adelaide is expected to reach a peak of 43°C on Monday.”

Meanwhile, the Bureau’s Kevin Parkin warned that the combination of hot temperatures and dry winds would elevate fire risks throughout the state on Tuesday, which he described as a “quite significant day.”

“A dome of heat is expected to sit over Victoria, not just this weekend but persisting well into next week,” he said.

“We’re looking at many centres cracking 40 degrees, including Ouyen with 48 degrees on Tuesday.

“Many centres are probably going to approach their all time-maximum records.

“This is quite a significant day.”

Mildura, also in north-western Victoria, is forecast to reach 47C.

“That would be a January record”, Johnson said.

“For NSW, it might actually be Wednesday that is the hottest day for many locations. And again, we could see some records falling.”

Maximum temperature records have already been broken across Western Australia on Wednesday, with Carnarvon reaching 47.9C — slightly below its highest ever temperature of 49.9C in February 2024.

Hot temperatures and heatwaves will be felt in several parts sooner.

From Friday, the heat will move into eastern parts of Western Australia and western parts of South Australia.

According to BoM’s latest heatwave warning, maximum temperatures will generally be in the high-30s in the east to high-40s in the west.

“On Saturday, the trough will continue to move eastwards, tracked by a cold front over the Southern Ocean. And that’s going to give a lot of heat over South Australia, Victoria and NSW,” Johnson said.

Johnson said there will be “a lot of heat over South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales” on Saturday, with maximum temperatures reaching 42C in Adelaide.

Temperatures in Melbourne will reach the 40s over the weekend, with the Australian Open tennis at Melbourne Park likely to be impacted.

The BoM has issued severe heatwave warnings for the Northern Territory, Western Australia, Queensland, and NSW, which will remain in effect until the end of the week.

South Australia is also under an extreme heatwave warning.

Heatwaves categorised as severe can be more dangerous for some individuals, particularly older adults, infants, children, pregnant and breastfeeding women, those with medical conditions, and anyone who is unwell.

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