Australia is bracing for an extended heatwave and heightened bushfire danger as a “dome of heat” moves east, bringing forecast temperatures close to all-time records in parts of Victoria, South Australia and New South Wales. The Bureau of Meteorology has warned of at least five consecutive days above 40C in inland areas, with extreme fire danger declared in several regions.
Saturday marks the start of the hot spell, with Adelaide expected to reach 42C and Port Augusta 46C. Melbourne is forecast to hit 40C before a brief dip to 25C on Sunday and 30C on Monday, then rising to 41C on Tuesday. In the state’s north, Ouyen, near Mildura, is predicted to reach 48C. Senior meteorologist Kevin Parkyn said many centres “are probably going to approach their all-time maximum records”, describing Tuesday as “quite a significant day”. While a cool change may pass through Melbourne on Wednesday, northern Victoria could experience four to seven days of temperatures above 40C, with no meaningful rain expected for a fortnight.
Seven major fires are burning across Victoria, some uncontrolled, including at Walwa, Wonnangatta Complex and Mallacoota. The Longwood fire, which has destroyed 320 homes and burnt through 144,000 hectares since 9 January, is now contained. Country Fire Authority chief officer Jason Heffernan warned that even without strong winds, “the sheer heat and the topography of the landscape” could cause fires to spread rapidly and produce “quite volatile fire behaviour”.
Catastrophic fire danger has been forecast for South Australia’s Yorke Peninsula, with extreme danger across much of the state’s south and the Mount Lofty Ranges. On Sunday, extreme danger is expected to extend to southern NSW and the ACT. In Western Australia, heat has already broken records: Shark Bay reached 49.2C, a January record, while Carnarvon airport hit 47.9C. A tropical cyclone watch has been issued for a low 790km north-west of Broome, which may become Tropical Cyclone Luana as it approaches the Kimberley coast.
Australia recorded its fourth-warmest year in 2025, with average temperatures 1.23C above baseline, according to the Bureau of Meteorology. The climate crisis is increasing the frequency and severity of extreme weather events, including heatwaves and bushfires, with hotter-than-average days and nights expected to continue until April for much of the country.
