South Australia endured another day of extreme heat on Monday as Victoria braced for what could be its hottest day on record, with temperatures forecast to approach 50°C in some areas. The Bureau of Meteorology warned that Tuesday could see numerous records broken across Victoria and eastern South Australia, with Ouyen and Mildura in north-west Victoria predicted to reach 49°C. If confirmed, this would exceed the state's all-time high of 48.8°C recorded at Hopetoun on Black Saturday in 2009.
Melbourne is forecast to hit 45°C, nearing its record of 46.4°C also set on Black Saturday. Adelaide reached 46°C on Monday, likely its hottest day since the Black Summer fires, with temperatures already at 42°C by lunchtime. Oodnadatta in South Australia's north recorded 45.6°C, while Ceduna on the Eyre Peninsula hit 49.1°C. Overnight lows in Adelaide were expected to remain in the mid-30s.
The severe heat is expected to persist into next weekend across inland areas of Victoria, South Australia, and New South Wales, with daytime temperatures in the mid-to-high 40s and overnight lows in the high 20s to low 30s. Senior meteorologist Dean Narramore described the prolonged run as unusual, urging people to stay cool, hydrated, and indoors. Victoria's chief health officer, Dr Caroline McElnay, warned of increased risk of heat-related illness, highlighting symptoms such as heavy sweating, dizziness, nausea, and headache, and advising to call Triple Zero (000) for signs of heatstroke.
Total fire bans are in place across South Australia and Victoria, with a statewide ban in Victoria on Tuesday. Fires continue to burn out of control, including in the Otways, where a fire jumped containment lines at Carlisle River, threatening the community of Gellibrand. Residents from over 1,100 properties in the Greater Otways area have been urged to evacuate before sunset. The Country Fire Authority's chief officer, Jason Heffernan, noted the challenge for firefighters and communities, with some areas facing eight days above 40°C.
The heatwave follows an intense heatwave earlier in January, which analysts said was made five times more likely due to global heating. Australia experienced its fourth-warmest year on record in 2025, with average temperatures up 1.23°C nationally, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.
