"Severe warning": Extreme heatwave to hit all capital cities as temperatures soar
After a slow start to summer that saw freezing cold nights, hail and torrential rain, summer has finally arrived, with a scorching heatwave set to sweep the country in the coming week.
The temperature is set to soar above 30C across all capital cities, except Hobart, in the days ahead. But even Tasmania won’t be far off the 30C mark.
Sydney will see the mercury soaring through the 30s by mid-week, Perth could get to 35C, Melbourne to 36C on Wednesday and Adelaide could potentially sweat through a hot 43C on Wednesday.
Even the nation’s capital Canberra is set to swelter with temps ranging from low to mid 30s in the coming week.
There is severe to extreme heatwave conditions forecasted for the Kimberley and Top End, with NT capital Darwin looking at temperatures of 35C all week.
Brisbane is looking at highs of 20s early in the week followed by a sunny 32C on Friday and Saturday.
The heat wave is expected to continue over the #TopEnd and extend to much of the #NorthernTerritory early this week. Stay hydrated! Some respite towards the end of the week as showers return. Forecasts at https://t.co/PZqLmStPfd. pic.twitter.com/Q6zpiEhvmE
— Bureau of Meteorology, Northern Territory (@BOM_NT) December 10, 2017
Bureau of Meteorology meteorologist Ashleigh Langey said NSW would reach peak temperatures on Thursday, followed by a short cool change on Friday.
“Over the next couple of days there will be a high pressure system influencing the state with pretty warm conditions. From Tuesday onwards it looks like we have got a low intensity heatwave developing, and by Thursday it will be a severe heatwave in parts of the state.
“There will be clear skies as well, which means things will heat up.”
“The hottest day in Sydney will be Thursday, and we’re forecasting 34C (and hotter in the west). On Friday it will cool down to 27C because we have a southerly change moving through that will cool things down a bit,” she said.
”Even on Friday in the west of NSW it will still be quite warm. On Saturday it’s heating back up with 33C in Sydney.”
The end of the week will see a nationwide cool-off, but next week is set to experience similar heat.