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Residents across southern and eastern Australia are bracing for a day of unpredictable weather, with forecasts predicting winds reaching up to 100 km/h and temperatures approaching 40 degrees Celsius.
According to Weatherzone, a robust low-pressure system located in the Southern Ocean is responsible for the unusual combination of heat and chill.
“As cold polar air pushes northward, warm interior air is being pulled southward by strong north-westerly winds, due to the natural flow from high-pressure to low-pressure areas,” explains the report.
The Bureau of Meteorology noted that Tasmania was the first to experience this wintry shift, with the change arriving overnight.
In Tasmania, maximum temperatures are expected to hover around 17 degrees Celsius, but the wind chill will make it feel considerably colder, likely around 10 degrees throughout the day.
Maximum temperatures for the Apple Isle are about 17 degrees, but with the wind chill it will feel much colder – probably around 10 degrees for most of today.
There will also be showers across the entire state, with the chance of hail and snow in western parts.
When the polar air moves across the Tasman Sea in coming hours, Victoria and southern NSW can expect much of the same conditions.
A damaging wind warning has been issued for the state’s eastern ranges, with gusts of 110km/h forecast for Alpine regions.
Heat is on in the east
Meanwhile, mid-autumn will feel like high summer for parts of eastern NSW and South-East Queensland.
Brisbane is set for a sunny day with temperatures in the centre of the city reaching a top temperature of 30 degrees, while in the western suburbs the mercury will soar to 37 degrees.
NSW residents should expect similar temperatures, with some parts pushing for record temperatures.
Central Sydney is forecast for a top of 33 degrees, with the city’s west will be two degrees warmer.
Similar maximum temperatures are also set for the regional cities of Wollongong, Newcastle and Maitland. It will be even hotter through the north-west, with Bourke up to 39 degrees.
Forecasters say the hot conditions in NSW will be over by tomorrow as the cooler air moves north later today.
With the polar conditions tightening their grip, there’ll be snowfalls in the Victorian high country, the Snowy Mountains of NSW, and higher parts of Tasmania.
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