Days left in SE sweat as records tumble
Temperatures in Adelaide climbed to almost 40C as an autumn heatwave affected multiple states. Photo: AAP
Temperatures are set to soar across south-east Australia for the next few days, with forecasters warning of a record-breaking autumn heatwave.
Melbourne is expected to bake on Monday, with the Bureau of Meteorology forecasting a top of 37 degrees after a low of 24.
Hot weather is predicted across most of Victoria, with temperatures in the mid to high 30s likely.
Adelaide is also forecast to swelter, with the South Australian capital tipped to peak at 38 degrees after an uncomfortable overnight minimum of 27.
Hot conditions in the high 30s and low 40s are forecast for most regional areas in SA.
The bureau warned heatwave conditions would persist in parts of SA, Victoria, NSW and Tasmania until Wednesday.
Authorities have issued a total fire ban for Monday for much of SA and in Victoria’s south-west.
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The temperature peaked at 36.9 degrees in Melbourne late on Sunday, with Avalon getting to 40 degrees and Geelong 39.6.
It followed a record-breaking Saturday night in the Victorian capital, with the mercury hovering about 30 degrees until Sunday morning, when it dropped to 27.3 degrees – toppling the previous March record-high minimum temperature of 26.5 degrees in 2013.
Hobart was also stifling on Saturday night, with a minimum temperature of 24 degrees, well above the previous March record of 21.1.
In SA, Adelaide had a top of 38.8 degrees on Sunday as the mercury soared into the high 30s and 40s across most of the state.
Extreme conditions on Saturday forced event organisers to cancel some outdoor festivals and parades.
Melbourne’s famous Moomba Parade was cancelled on Saturday due safety concerns for performers and spectators.
Patrons at the Pitch Music and Arts Festival in south-west Victoria were told to leave by Saturday morning, while those yet to arrive were warned to stay away.
One of the stages at Adelaide’s WOMAD was closed on Sunday due to the heat.
San Diego soul/RnB outfit Thee Sacred Souls performing at the WOMADelaide festival. Photo: AAP
A handful of other events was postponed until late at night or cancelled.
-AAP
