We get one extra day of summer this year, thank you leap year, and Australia is certainly taking advantage.
We look to end the season on a high, literally, as the mercury is set to soar ahead of the season change to Autumn.
This does however mean some hazardous conditions though including heatwave warnings and extreme fire danger.
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Hot Conditions in WA and SA for the Start of the Week
Through the start of the work week, temperatures will slowly creep up and shift from west to east. Heatwave warnings are already in effect for areas of western South Australia as temperatures look to rise there first through Monday.
The mercury looks to rise even further through the week into the high 40s, potentially up to 48°C or 49°C on Tuesday across the Nullarbor Plain.
Hot conditions will sweep through South Australia into Tuesday. This is likely to be Adelaide’s hottest day of the week with a 36°C high expected.
Capital Cities Sweltering on Wednesday
On Wednesday, the heat looks to really push into areas of Victoria and NSW. A low-pressure system is forecast to move through the Bight and this system is really where our attention focuses.
This is going to drag a frontal zone along with it, and ahead of the system hot northwesterly winds will pull into the southeast. This all will spike the temperatures across NSW, Tasmania, and Victoria.
Wednesday looks to be Melbourne’s hottest day of this heat event. 36°C is the expected high for Melbourne on Wednesday. If the city hits that high, it would be the third hottest day this summer, coming in right at the end of the season.
At the same time areas and communities in the north and west of Victoria, outback NSW and eastern South Australia are expecting highs in the 40s on Wednesday.
Mildura could hit a high of 44°C on Wednesday, while pockets in the centre of this heat could top out above the 45°C mark. A sweltering second last day of summer for many.
All this heat will lead to widespread heatwave conditions.
Extreme Fire Danger Returns to Victoria on Wednesday
Now as the low gets closer to Victoria, the system is going increase the winds and then they are going to change directions, bringing cooler air in but still gusty conditions.
The latest outlook shows the highest wind gusts are likely through the South West in Victoria. Gusts could potentially be higher that 80km/h. In the Wimmera and Mallee, gusts look to be above 60km/h. This is the same for areas of eastern South Australia.
With the heat, wind and low humidity, it could be a dangerous fire weather day. Especially if new fires do start. The Wimmera, Mallee and South West are all forecast to see extreme fire danger on Wednesday. Same with the Mid North, Riverland, and Murraylands in SA.
The low doesn’t look to bring much precipitation with it, but there does look to be the risk of some lightning or storm activity. Dry lightning could trigger new fires, which is something to be aware of on Wednesday.
As always, it is essential to have a plan in place for what you are going to do if there is fire in your area.
Sizzling Temps for the Last Day of Summer in NSW
While the low and front bring a cool change to areas of South Australia and Victoria, the heat continues in NSW on Thursday. Western Sydney could easily see the mercury above 40°C, meanwhile Sydney city is watching for a high of 35°C.
The cool change will run up the NSW coast through Thursday evening and into Friday with some associated showers in coastal areas.
But the end of the week and start of Autumn look to keep temperatures above 40°C in outback NSW, SA and QLD.
It’s Not All Sunshine and Heat
In WA, more wet weather is expected through this upcoming week, particularly in interior and eastern areas. There is the risk of widespread storms and rain.
It is cooler in Perth through the week, but the heat returns for the start of Autumn, with 36°C expected for the high on Saturday and Sunday.
For the latest weather conditions and forecasts, tune in to Sky News Weather Channel 601.
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