The people of Victoria are being cautioned to brace themselves for a scorching heatwave, with temperatures soaring above 40 degrees Celsius in certain regions. The most intense heat is anticipated to hit on Tuesday.
In the northern parts of the state, locations such as Mildura are expected to set new records for maximum temperatures, prompting officials to declare a total fire ban for tomorrow. The heatwave is predicted to bring temperatures in this northern Victorian town to 42 degrees tomorrow, ramping up to an intense 48 degrees by Tuesday.
Mildura’s current record high stands at 47.2 degrees, a milestone reached back in 1939. Meanwhile, Melbourne is forecasted to experience a 40-degree peak tomorrow. Following this, temperatures will drop to a more bearable 24 degrees on Sunday, rise to 30 on Monday, and then climb back to a sizzling 41 degrees on Tuesday.
The hot and dry weather is expected to elevate the risk of fires across Victoria, a concern that looms large as the state is still reeling from recent bushfires that devastated numerous homes.
Melbourne is forecast to reach a top of 40 degrees tomorrow, before dropping to 24 on Sunday, 30 on Monday and soaring to 41 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.
