Multiple locations across Australia's eastern states are facing temperatures up to 18C above average over the coming week, according to the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM). October heat records are expected to fall in South Australia, Queensland and New South Wales, with Sydney and Brisbane forecast to reach highs in the high 30s.
Dean Narramore, senior meteorologist at the BoM, described Wednesday as 'a very big day of weather' for the south-east. He warned of potential record-breaking heat through parts of NSW, as well as thunderstorms with damaging winds across southern Victoria, south-east SA and the south coast of NSW.
Over the weekend, new October temperature records were set in Telfer (44.3C) and Warburton (43.9C) in Western Australia, and Ernabella (40.9C) and Tarcoola (43.9C) in South Australia. The focus of heat is now moving east, with many locations expected to approach or exceed record temperatures over the coming days.
On Monday, outback localities like Oodnadatta, Moomba and Marree in SA, Ballera in Queensland and Flowers Gap in NSW could see temperatures 10-16C above average, with some possibly reaching 18C above average. Tuesday may bring more widespread records, including Birdsville (45C), Tibooburra and Coonamble in NSW, and Bathurst.
By Wednesday, higher-than-normal heat will move into Lightning Ridge, Bathurst and Orange in NSW, and Cunnamulla in Queensland. Sydney is forecast to reach 38C with hot and windy conditions. Heatwave conditions—three consecutive days of well-above-average temperatures—are unlikely in Sydney but possible in parts of the Northern Territory, Queensland and northern NSW.
High fire danger is expected across WA, Queensland, northern SA and NSW, with extreme fire dangers possible in the Illawarra, Sydney metropolitan area and Hunter region on Wednesday due to hot, windy and dry conditions. Australia's land surface has warmed by 1.5C since 1910, and the climate crisis has increased the frequency and severity of extreme weather events.
