Multiple states are sweltering through a low-intensity to severe heatwave with some temperatures expected to reach well into the high 40s.

Parts of Queensland, Tasmania, South Australia, and Western Australia are all preparing to be scorched by severe summer conditions this weekend.

WA and Queensland have been sizzling for some time, but conditions were now extending into the south-east, the Bureau of Meteorology’s Miriam Bradbury said.

It won’t be as hot this weekend as last, but inland parts of NSW, Victoria, Tasmania, central Australia and WA may experience severe heatwave conditions.

Forecaster Weatherzone predicts days of hot weather to come for some parts of the country.

“Current forecasts suggest that temperatures could reach 46-47 degrees in parts of far western Queensland during the first half of next week, while temperatures are also predicted to hit 45-46 degrees in the north of SA and the southern NT,” it said on Friday.

“Most of Australia’s state capital cities should have at least one day above 30 degrees in the coming week, with Adelaide possibly registering seven consecutive days over 30 degrees by next Tuesday.

“This won’t be record-breaking heat for Australia, although it could be some of the hottest weather the country has seen this summer.”

A large mass of extremely hot air will linger over Australia for at least the next week, possibly causing temperatures to approach 49°C in some states and territories. 🌡️https://t.co/DZNuVGz0kW

— Weatherzone (@weatherzone) January 7, 2025

A heatwave is when temperatures are above average during the day and night over a period of three days or more.

For Tasmania, temperatures will reach the low 30s during the day and high teens during the night.

“That doesn’t sound warm for mainland Australians but compared to the averages of Tasmania that is still significantly more,” Bradbury said.

In parts of central Australia, inland Queensland and WA temperatures will be eight degrees above average to between 40 and 44 degrees.

The conditions have elevated the bushfire risk, with fire danger ratings across most of the nation remaining at moderate to high.

High is before the extreme rating, which is when total fire bans are issued.

“With moderate to high, we’re still below warning level. But it’s not a sign to let our guard down as we all know how bushfire-prone Australia can be in the summer period,” Bradbury said.

Tasmania, south-west WA pushing into SA and western Victoria will experience the most risk of fire danger over the weekend.

“Particularly through western Victoria, where we’ve seen so recently those really terrible bushfires in the Grampians, is one to have on people’s radar,” Bradbury said.

While a large swathe of Australia will swelter, east coast cities such as Sydney and Brisbane will have a wet weekend.

Temperatures will reach into the high 20s, but humidity will be rampant as an easterly flow pushes from the east coast.

People of the Hawkesbury Nepean Valley are advised to monitor weather conditions ☔

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a flood watch for possible minor flooding across parts of the Hawkesbury Nepean Valley from Friday to Saturday.

👉 Read more: https://t.co/7R71WXncWn pic.twitter.com/OPoKsfX3Tk

— NSW SES (@NSWSES) January 9, 2025

The showers and storms that have already hit the east coast for several days will continue.

Weatherzone said parts of south-east Queensland had already been drenched by a “flurry of thunderstorms” on Thursday night. North Stradbroke Island got 132 millimetres of rain in just two hours.

“Heavy rain and flooding will remain a heightened risk as more storms develop across a board area of eastern and northern Australia from today through to at least the middle of next week, possibly longer,” Weatherzone said.

The wet weather is forecast to increase in Brisbane on Saturday, while heavy falls were expected in Sydney on Friday.

“For all our east-coasters, it’s certainly a weekend to be keeping an eye on the radar,” Bradbury said.

A flood watch is already in place for Sydney’s Hawkesbury Nepean River as the wet weather continues. Bradbury said rain expected on Friday may cause minor flooding in parts of the river system.

-with AAP