Heatwave set to swelter across parts of Australia
Temperatures are set to soar over the next few days, as an extreme heatwave rolls across the country.
Parts of Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia are expected to feel the brunt of it with temperatures predicted to hit the high-30s to mid-40s over the next four days.
The Bureau of Meteorology has forecast Adelaide to have a top of 41C on Wednesday and Thursday, 39C on Friday and 37C on Saturday before a cool change on Sunday.
Severe #Heatwave conditions in #SA extending gradually to #VIC #NSW and #QLD . Take care & stay well hydrated https://t.co/ByG5YyVjFH pic.twitter.com/iKIJT4OTjM
— Bureau of Meteorology, Australia (@BOM_au) February 8, 2017
But conditions will be even worse in South Australian regional centres in with temperatures to hit 46C at Marree and Moomba and 45C at Oodnadatta, Port Augusta, Tarcoola and Roxby Downs.
Despite the hot weather, the bushfire risk has only been rated as ‘high’ to ‘very high’ following heavy rain across many districts earlier this week.
The State Emergency Service said the best option for most people to cope with the heat would be to remain indoors with the air conditioning on, particularly during the hottest parts of the day.
“If you do need to go outside for whatever reason then try and do so early in the morning or later in the evening when it is a bit cooler,” chief officer Chris Beattie said.
Mr Beattie said prolonged exposure to extreme heat, especially with high overnight temperatures, could exacerbate existing medical conditions.
“If precautions are not taken, people can become seriously ill or die,” he said.
Queensland to feel a Sunday spike
In Queensland, looming spikes in temperatures are expected for regional parts of the state, as Brisbane is spared the worst of it.
Brisbane will be hot, but miss the worst of the heatwave, sitting in the low 30s for the remainder of the week until peaking on Sunday at 37C.
However, the Sunday spike across the rest of the state is predicted to hit the low 40s, according to BoM.
QLD residents have been warned of soaring temperatures on Sunday. Photo: Getty
Ipswich is set to top at 41C following consecutive days in the mid-to-high 30s, while Gatton will sweat through 35C on Friday, 39C on Saturday, 42C on Sunday and 38C on Monday before any relief with a shower or two on Tuesday.
RSPCA Queensland has warned residents not to keep pets in cars after it was swamped with calls in the past week.
“These numbers are horrifying. Some people are simply not listening,” RSPCA Queensland spokesman Michael Beatty said.
He said the organisation had been called out to 28 jobs involving pets left in cars and more than 100 instances of animals being left with insufficient water last week.
Northern Victoria set to soar
Scorching temperatures are expected throughout northern Victoria on Wednesday and will hold into the weekend.
Mildura will be hit hardest with Wednesday’s 41C the entree to three more days climbing further beyond 40C.
Thursday temperatures are set to soar to 44C and will carry on into Friday, before slipping to 42C on Saturday
Friday is predicted to be the worst for the majority of Victorians, with Echuca (42C), Bendigo (40C), Benalla (40C) and Horsham (39C) copped the brunt of it.
Hot few days ahead, especially in northern #Victoria 😓 #VicWeather Stay safe and cool, check your forecast: https://t.co/zdLTMNeQmT pic.twitter.com/wRz5pIQQV4
— Bureau of Meteorology, Victoria (@BOM_Vic) February 7, 2017
Meanwhile, Melbourne will sweat through a sticky 34C on Wednesday and a top of 37C on Thursday, dropping into the high 20s for Friday and Saturday.
Wet and wild NSW turns hot
Meanwhile in New South Wales, a 22-year-old man lost his life as most of the state experienced thunderstorms and heavy rainfall.
SES responded to 250 calls on Tuesday night as houses and roads were destroyed with wild weather, as Sydney copped 84mm of rainfall, Marrickville 75mm, Canterbury 67mm, and Prospect and North Parramatta received 56mm.
Flooding on Flood Street and Parramatta Road, Leichhardt.#Sydney #SydneyStorm Video by Anwyn Cochrane pic.twitter.com/qadP3bBomC
— ABC Sydney (@abcsydney) February 7, 2017
But as the rain clears, temperatures in Sydney are expected to spike.
New South Wales is expected to cop more treacherous rainfall on Wednesday, before making way for a heatwave beginning on Friday.
The BoM predicts the mercury to go to 29C on Thursday before gradually increasing into the weekend, with 35C on Friday, 39C on Saturday, and 36C on Sunday.
– with AAP