Millions of Australians set to swelter in major heatwave as temperatures soar to the 40s

Millions of Australians are set to swelter through a massive heatwave with temperatures set to hit the low to mid-40s in most states and territories.

Sky News Meteorologist Alison Osborne said Mildura and Swan Hill in Victoria were tipped to reach temperatures as high as 46C on Monday while areas like Broken Hill could hit 44C.

“For parts of western NSW including Broken Hill, Griffith, Hay, Deniliquin, temperatures once again likely to exceed that 45C mark and again the hottest in at least four years,” Ms Osborne told Skynews.com.au.

“Fire weather warnings are likely to be current from eastern parts of South Australia including the Mid North and the Riverland, and then into western and central Victoria including that Melbourne region.

“So all of this hot, dry and windy weather is likely to be conducive to fire becoming fast-moving, unpredictable and uncontrollable.”

HEATWAVE, FIRE DANGER WARNINGS

Heatwave warnings are in place across NSW, ACT, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia and the Northern Territory over the weekend and into Monday, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.

“Severe heatwaves can be dangerous for many people, especially older people, babies, children, pregnant and breastfeeding women, people with medical conditions and people who are unwell,” a Bureau of Meteorology alert stated.

“Seek a place to keep cool, such as your home, a library, community centre or shopping centre.

“Close your windows and draw blinds, curtains or awnings early in the day to keep the heat out of your home.

“If available, use fans or airconditioners to keep cool.”

Extreme fire danger warnings have been issued for Mallee, Wimmera, Northern Country, North Central, South West and Central Victoria on Monday.

Similar extreme fire danger warnings are in place across WA over Saturday and Sunday in Avon, Lockwood, Arthur, Roe, Lakes, Stirling North and Stirling West.

For South Australia, extreme fire danger warnings have been issued for Riverland, Murraylands, Upper South East and Lower South East on Monday.

High and moderate warnings are also in place across much of the country.

“ALL ABOUT THE HEAT”

Bureau of Meteorology meteorologist Jonathan How agreed it’s “all about the heat” for the south east and centre of the country this weekend due to a high pressure moving in.

“We start to see those winds turn northerly, and that will bring some very hot air down across the centre and the south east of the country,” Mr How said.“This will drive both heat wave conditions and elevated fire dangers.”

Temperatures are set to climb into the 30s and low 40s west of the divide of western Sydney with heatwave conditions on Saturday, while the temperature is set to be up to 6C above average in the ACT.

Maximum temperatures in Victoria are expected to be up to 4C above average on Saturday in the south and up to 10C higher in the northwest on Saturday.

“We will also see high fire dangers, often in coastal sea breezes, including for Melbourne,” Mr How said.

South Australia is also in for a scorcher.

“It will get quite hot and warming up on Sunday for South Australia,” Mr How said.

“Hot heat wave conditions across much of the state. Maximum temperatures up to 6C above average in the southeast, but up to 12C above average in the north.”

Sydney is expected to reach 32C by Tuesday while Melbourne will soar to 41C on Monday.

Brisbane is set to range between 28C and 30C with Perth set to hit a maximum of 35C over the next week.

The heat is set to hit Adelaide even sooner with a forecast of 40C on Sunday.

Hobart is expected to rise to 32C by Monday with Canberra set to hit 38C on the same day.

Darwin’s week is set to range between 34C and 35C.