Residents of Victoria are being alerted to brace for intense heat, with temperatures predicted to soar above 40 degrees in various regions of the state. The peak of this heatwave is anticipated to hit on Tuesday.

In particular, the northern parts of the state, including areas like Mildura, are on track to potentially set new records for high temperatures. Due to these conditions, a total fire ban has been issued for tomorrow.

The town of Mildura is set to experience a scorching 42 degrees tomorrow, with the heatwave intensifying on Tuesday when temperatures are expected to reach a blistering 48 degrees.

The record high temperature for Mildura stands at 47.2 degrees, a mark that was set back in 1939.

Melbourne is also in for a hot spell, with temperatures forecasted to hit 40 degrees tomorrow. Following this, a cool down to 24 degrees is expected on Sunday, a rise to 30 degrees on Monday, and then another spike to 41 degrees on Tuesday.

Hot and dry conditions will also mean an increased fire risk across Victoria just weeks after devastating bushfires destroyed hundreds of homes.

A total fire ban has been declared for the entire state tomorrow due to major fires still burning and the potential for new fires to start and spread quickly.

“We will be declaring several total fire bans over the course of this heatwave event and with that comes shared responsibility,” CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan said.

“With fires already in the landscape, communities hurting and healing, and emergency services still on the fireground, we’re asking people to follow the strict conditions associated with the total fire bans.”

Wimmera and South West Victoria face extreme fire danger tomorrow, according to the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM).

North East Victoria is predicted to experience the same risk on Sunday.

Victorians should have a bushfire plan and monitor the VicEmergency app for updates.

“Tomorrow is not the time to be complacent, and Victorians should understand how the increased fire risk will impact them,” Heffernan said.

There is no rain forecast for Victoria in the next two weeks, making the ongoing fire risk significant.

Queensland is bracing for wild weather of a different kind as a tropical low builds off the state’s north-west.

Tropical low 18U currently lies in the eastern Gulf of Carpentaria and has a moderate chance of developing into a tropical cyclone over the weekend.

Residents of north Queensland and eastern Northern Territory have been warned to monitor for updates as the low progresses.

Another low lies in the Coral Sea off Queensland’s north-west coast but is unlikely to become a tropical cyclone and is expected to remain offshore.

Flood warnings are also in place in parts of the state, which experienced destructive flooding just weeks ago.

Moderate flood warnings have been issued for Bedourie and Windorah from Sunday and Glengyle from early next week.

A minor flood warning is in effect for the Sutton River.