A dramatic three day period of intense heat is expected to envelop regions of southern and south east Australia from mid week, with predictions that conditions will escalate between Wednesday and Friday.
According to the Bureau of Meteorology, the hottest air, which caused extreme heat in Western Australia, will move to South Australia and the state of Victoria on Wednesday, with Adelaide and Melbourne predicted to reach 41 degrees.
Dean Narramore, a senior meteorologist for Australia Bureau of Meteorology, told, “Extreme heatwave conditions are going to be found over a vast area of NSW and Northern Victoria, effectively everywhere in between Melbourne and Sydney, and well inland.”
Inland areas along the Murray River can also expect temperatures in the mid 40s, with the report suggesting there are plans for temperatures to reach 44°C in Mildura and Swan Hill on Wednesday.
Port Pirie is expected to rise from 40°C on Tuesday to 45°C on Wednesday, this in South Australia, as reported.
Further west, some parts of Eastern South Australia and Northwest Victoria may experience a high temperature of 46°C to 47°C on Thursday, when the heaviest heat will settle in the middle region.
Hot nights have also been predicted to prevail during the hottest period. This will reduce relief at night when temperatures will remain high. This can be harmful for communities lacking cooling facilities.
The heatwave warning has been issued for a range of areas, including Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria, NSW, Tasmania, and the ACT.
The message conveyed by the bureau remains a familiar and urgent call. The warning specifically targets the aged, children, and the sick. Narramore has advised, “Stay cool, stay hydrated, stay inside.”
Emergency services are also ready for an increase in the risk of bushfires. In the state of Victoria, a total fire ban has been announced by the Country Fire Authority for the north of the state.
This is due to the risk of uncontrolled outbreaks of new fires because of very hot and dry conditions and strong wind.
This makes it difficult for people to carry on their daily business activities as a consequence of heat and restrictions on burning.
Train operators are factoring the implications of heat into planning. Line services will operate to a different timetable in affected areas on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Warning customers of the possibility of trains slowed significantly on the track due to expansion in hot weather and services replaced with air conditioned coaches.
Along the coastal areas, forecasters expect that sea breezes might ease conditions for some of the suburbs that are close to the sea. While in general, there seems to be widespread warmth in the inland areas.
The developing weather patterns are being fueled by a trough and a block high in the Tasmanian Sea, which is resulting in hot air being directed in the southeastern areas.
The relief is not expected to come in equally. A cooler change is expected to sweep into South Australia on Friday, then move further into New South Wales as the heat is shifted further inland.
But many regions can expect no relief until Saturday, according to meteorologists.
