‘Very significant heatwave’: States on high alert as record-breaking temperatures soar

NSW residents are on high alert as the oppressive heatwave continues to crawl across the southeast Australia.

As a heat dome continues its coverage across the country’s south, towns in South Australia, Victoria and NSW are sweltering, with temperatures breaking records this week.

Wednesday was one of the hottest days on records for inland NSW and parts of SA and Victoria.

The mercury climbed above average in parts of NSW, hitting a maximum of 47.8C in Smithville, 47.2C in Mulurulu and 47.5C in Hay.

Meanwhile, in Victoria, temperatures on Wednesday reached 42.9C in Wangaratta and 45.3C in Yarrawonga.

The heat is sticking around for some time, Bureau of Meteorology senior meteorologist Angus Hines told NewsWire.

“The heat is continuing – this prolonged, very significant heatwave that we’ve been feeling for days,” he said.

“It’s going to continue to be hot (on Thursday).

“We’re already seeing temperatures climb across South Australia, in NSW, very far southwest of Queensland and the northeast of Victoria.”

More record-breaking temperatures on the way

Mr Hines said more record-breaking temperatures were possible, with heat only dissipating next week.

“We’re continuing to see lots of mid-to-high 40C temperatures over inland parts (of Australia),” he said.

“There are heatwave warnings in place across multiple states, and the heat is going to continue through the working week into Saturday.

”During the weekend is when we’re finally going to see a weather pattern change, which will nudge most of that hot air away, bringing in some much cooler conditions. “Although that may also bring in a little bit of rain and thunderstorms for some eastern areas through Saturday afternoon and into Sunday.”

In NSW, an extreme heatwave warning has been issued for residents in the Snowy Mountains, South West Slopes, Lower Western and Upper Western regions.

A severe heatwave warning has also been issued for the Northern Tablelands, South Coast, Central Tablelands, Southern Tablelands, North West Slopes and Plains, Central West Slopes and Plains and Riverina.

Areas likely to be impacted most include Albury, Broken Hill, Bourke, Cobar, Dubbo, Deniliquin, Goulburn, Moree, Orange and Wagga Wagga.

During a NOMAD patrol in Kersbrook in the Adelaide Hills, a heat‑stressed koala approached SA Police seeking respite in near‑50C heat. Officers offered water and shade beside the patrol car before it continued safely on its way.

Heading into the weekend, conditions will remain hot for much of South Australia.

Adelaide will also be smashed with another round of oppressive heat, with temperatures expected to reach 41C on Friday.

An extreme heatwave warning has been issued for the North East Pastoral region, and a severe heatwave warning is in place for the Adelaide Metropolitan, Yorke Peninsula, Riverland, Murraylands, Mid North, Flinders, West Coast, Eastern Eyre Peninsula, North West Pastoral and Mount Lofty Ranges.

“So, it’s not just the interior of the country feeling the heat,” Mr Hines told NewsWire.

Heatwave skips over major cities

Thankfully, major cities Melbourne and Sydney won’t be in the firing line for much more heat, with temperatures easing thanks to a cool wind.

“Melbourne’s sort of had to run its dash with the heatwave,” Mr Hines said.

“Melbourne, like much of the rest of southern Victoria, is now seeing winds coming up from the south, keeping those temperatures much more mild as that air blows off of the ocean, so it’s cooler.

“It’s a bit more humid as well.”

He said Sydney was lucky to escape the worst of the heatwave.

“Sydney won’t see this intense heat,” Mr Hines said.

“It’s likely to hover around 29C to 31C between (Thursday) and Sunday in Sydney, with that hot weather really persisting inland.”

Bushfire conditions ease across Victoria

Extreme fire warnings were downgraded across Victoria overnight as heatwave conditions ease.

Eight major fires are continuing to burn across the state, of which three are out of control.

As of Thursday morning, more than 435,000 hectares have been burnt by the fires, with hundreds of firefighters from the Country Fire Authority, Forest Fire Management Victoria and Fire Rescue Victoria on the ground to fight the flames.

“More than 1382 personnel from all Australian states and territories, as well as New Zealand and Canada, have assisted, and continue to assist, Victoria’s bushfire response over recent weeks, both on the fireground and in incident control centres,” a State Control Centre spokesman said.

A watch and act warning is in place for residents in Nariel Gap, Thowgla Upper and Thowgla Valley as the Walwa bushfire continues to burn out of control.

“Crews have been working to strengthen containment lines and conduct controlled back burning in preparation of increased fire risk,” the spokesman said.

The Wonnangatta-Dargo complex fire is still burning, with firefighters on the edge of the fire and building control lines.

A stay-informed warning is in place for the Dargo, Waterford, Castleburn, Crooked River and surrounding areas.

Although there is no threat to communities, residents have been warned to review fire plans and monitor conditions.

“Holiday-makers are not to enter the area,” the spokesman said.

“State and national parks in the area are closed.”

Further south, emergency warnings have been downgraded for the Carlisle River fires, though it is not safe for residents in the Gellibrand area to return.