An expansive heatwave sweeping through the Australian outback is predicted to escalate over the weekend and in the coming days, potentially setting new temperature records across three states.

According to Weatherzone, areas in South Australia, Queensland, New South Wales, and the Australian Capital Territory may all witness record-breaking temperatures for October, with forecasts hinting at soaring highs reaching the mid-40s Celsius.

This surge in heat originates from a mass of hot air that accumulated last week in the north-west of Western Australia, which is now gradually making its way eastward across the nation.

The rising temperatures are bringing unseasonably warm conditions to the outback earlier than typically expected.

Additionally, parts of Australia’s south-east are bracing for a short-lived spell of this early heatwave as it moves in later this weekend and continues into the next week.

There is a possibility that South Australia’s previous October temperature record of 45.4 degrees Celsius, set in Oodnadatta, could be surpassed. Forecasts suggest temperatures might climb to 43 degrees on Sunday and peak at 45 degrees on Monday.

Queensland’s far south-west is expected to see five consecutive days of temperatures as high as 40 degrees starting today.

Sunday and Monday will be the hottest days with temperatures of 44 degrees and 45 degrees, respectively.

The state’s October record currently sits at 45.1 degrees in Birdsville.

NSW’s October temperature record is currently 43.9 degrees in the state’s north-west.

Parts of the upper west are expected to reach 43 degrees on Tuesday.

Australian Capital Territory 

Despite the forecast not being extreme, Canberra is still expected to be hit with a heat surge early next week.

The capital could reach temperatures of 32 degrees on Monday and Tuesday, with the state’s October temperature record sitting at 32.7 degrees.