Heatwave set to hit southeast Australia over the long weekend

Heatwave set to hit southeast Australia over the long weekend

A BLISTERING heatwave is set to smash Australia’s southeast for the second time in two weeks with warnings the worst of the hot weather isn’t over yet.

South Australia, Victoria and Tasmania are set to cop the worst of heat with soaring temperatures predicted across the Australia Day long weekend.

Heatwave conditions which smashed South Australia last week are back, with a high-pressure weather system forecast to bring more of the same sweltering conditions.

The Bureau of Meteorology said the air mass that brought temperatures in the mid-40s to some regional centres last week haven’t dissipated and it’s going to heat up even more yet.

Several councils have already rescheduled family and children’s Australia Day events with temperature set to hit 38C in Adelaide.

Wineries taking part in the Adelaide Hills Crush Festival have also cancelled about a third of 50 planned events, the ABC reported.

The one-day international cricket match between Australia and England at Adelaide Oval will go ahead as normal.

The State Emergency Service has warned all South Australians participating in sporting events and festivals over the long weekend to be proactive and keep themselves safe.

Last week’s hot blast resulted in 150 people going to hospitals over the three days with another 40 people admitted for specific heat-related illnesses, SA Health spokesman Paddy Phillips said.

Near record temperatures are forecast again for #SAWeather, however this next change will cool temps far more rapidly than with last weeks change. Track the forecast position of the change with Meteye, https://t.co/67ioAvO3Xw pic.twitter.com/o7wOe8KloH — Bureau of Meteorology, South Australia (@BOM_SA) January 24, 2018

Extreme conditions are also forecast for northern parts of Tasmania from tomorrow while a severe heatwave will extend further into southwestern NSW.

The good news is cooler conditions should bring some relief from Tuesday.

BOM meteorologist Sarah Fitton said temperatures were increasing across the southeast and would culminate in oppressively humid conditions for the Australia Day long weekend.

Ms Fitton said hot days and hot nights would lead to the severe conditions developing and this could reach coastal areas.

The heatwave is also extending across most of Victoria.

Southerly winds will keep Melbourne at a cooler 30C, however the rest of the state is in for a few humid days.

A humid few days ahead for #Victoria. Dew point temperatures reaching 15-20 degrees for most central and eastern areas - that's high for Victorians! Eg: #Melbourne on Sunday - Max Temp 39C and Dew point mid-high teens. https://t.co/PTfXHEzYtN pic.twitter.com/gDynHsQw3L — Bureau of Meteorology, Victoria (@BOM_Vic) January 24, 2018

Saturday and Sunday are tipped to be even warmer as the heat moves further south.

“Temperatures will be 14 to 18 degrees above average and central parts of Tasmania could even see temperatures in the mid- to high-30s,” Ms Fitton said.

“Adelaide is forecast to hit 42 degrees on both Saturday and Sunday. Melbourne will have its hottest day on Sunday as it approaches 40 degrees and Hobart should reach the low-30s.”

Ms Fitton said minimum temperatures will also be up across the weekend and would bring little overnight relief.

“And on top of this heat, tropical moisture feeding down from Queensland will increase humidity during the weekend, particularly through Victoria and Tasmania,” she said.

The rest of the southeast will also remain warm with the BOM on Monday warning temperatures across inland NSW will stay above 40C for most of the week.

Mainly clear across #Tas today, with Fingal the hottest reaching 33 degrees. Drizzle about the S and E later tonight and Thurs morning, and hot inland again Thurs. See https://t.co/5mL3LaBAzU pic.twitter.com/5cfPptDZLb — Bureau of Meteorology, Tasmania (@BOM_Tas) January 24, 2018

Hot weather and heatwaves aren’t unusual at this time of year.

Ms Fitton said the high humidity levels were unusual though because drier conditions were much more common for southern Australia during heatwaves.



Here’s what the weather is looking like across the capitals over the Australia Day long weekend.

SYDNEY

Today 30C, Australia Day 29C, Saturday 29C, Sunday 29C, Monday 29C.

MELBOURNE

Today 27C with possible showers, Australia Day 29C chance of afternoon showers, Saturday 33C chance of showers, Sunday 39C, Monday 25C with showers.

BRISBANE

Today 31C, Australia Day 31C with the chance of showers, Saturday 31 and showers, Sunday 31C and showers, Monday 30C with showers.

PERTH

Today 31C, Australia Day 30C, Saturday 29C, Sunday 31C, Monday 31C.

ADELAIDE

Today 35C, Australia Day 38C, Saturday 42C, Sunday 42C with chance of showers, Monday 24C.

HOBART

Today 27C with showers, Australia Day 27C, Saturday 33C, Sunday 36C with the chance of showers, Monday 20C.

CANBERRA

Today 33C with chance of storms, Australia Day 34C with showers and possible storms, Saturday 34C with showers, Sunday 33, Monday 33C.

DARWIN

Today 30C with rain, Australia Day 29C with heavy falls, Saturday 29C with heavy falls, Sunday 30C with rain, Monday 31C with rain.

- with AAP

debra.killalea@news.com.au