All-time temperature records could fall in Victoria and New South Wales as a dome of intense heat sweeps into south-east Australia, bringing extreme to catastrophic fire conditions. The Bureau of Meteorology has forecast a prolonged period of intense heat across South Australia, Victoria, NSW and southern Queensland from Saturday, with some inland areas experiencing more than five days above 40C.
High to extreme fire danger is expected across several southern states. Catastrophic fire danger is forecast for the Yorke and eastern Eyre Peninsula in South Australia on Saturday, where a statewide total fire ban has been declared. In Victoria, a total fire ban is also in place, with multiple bushfire warnings advising residents in several communities to leave now.
Temperatures could soar into the high 40s, challenging records. In Victoria, centres in the Mallee could approach 49C on Tuesday, close to the state's hottest ever temperature of 48.8C. In NSW, Bourke is forecast to reach 48C on Wednesday, nearing the state's record of 50.1C set in 1939. Thargomindah in Queensland could hit 48C on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, a tropical low off Western Australia is expected to intensify into a category two cyclone, named Luana, crossing the Kimberley coast on Saturday afternoon. Australia experienced its fourth-warmest year on record in 2025, with the climate crisis increasing the frequency and severity of extreme weather events.
