Australia’s ‘deadly’ weekend of sweltering 50C heat starts NOW – as experts warn that extreme fire warnings and sizzling conditions are a danger to millions of people
Australians have been warned to check on vulnerable friends and family this weekend as parts of the country swelter through temperatures as high as 50C.
Residents of New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia and the Australian Capital Territory are already experiencing scorching temperatures.
Bureau of Meteorology forecaster Jonathan How said the heatwave will ‘impact millions of people and create dangerous fire weather conditions for multiple states’.
Fire weather warnings have been now been issued for NSW, Victoria, SA and WA.
Sydneysiders flocked to Bondi Beach in September and they are expected to do so again this weekend as the maximum is forecast to reach 39 degrees in the NSW capital
In addition to causing bushfires, Mr How warned the heatwave itself will be ‘a huge silent killer’ as it causes hyperthermia, dehydration and skin cancer.
Heatwaves have killed more people than cyclones, flooding and bushfires combined in Australia in the last 100 years, making it the country’s biggest killer.
‘The hot days and warm nights will make it difficult to recover, especially for vulnerable people,’ Mr How said.
‘People are hospitalised and it’s really dangerous so it’s important to take note of the heat and be careful.’
Sydney will reach a maximum of 39 degrees on Saturday, making it the hottest capital city in the country – with a ‘very high’ fire danger warning in place.
Beachgoers are advised to use sun protection as the UV index will be ‘extreme’ at 11, which will be very damaging for skin.
The 39-degree maximum will continue on Sunday as a low pressure system brings the muggy weather across from South Australia through NSW to the east coast.
‘On Saturday, temperatures will climb to 47 degrees through inland South Australia and above 40 degrees along the Murray but Southern Victoria will be spared the worst of it,’ Mr How said.
‘A gusty cool change will extend east through the day, hitting the high 30s through Sydney and western Brisbane on Sunday.’
A runner at Bondi Beach at sunrise. People who want to exercise outdoors have been advised to do so at dusk or dawn or even at night for slightly cooler temperatures
SA capital Adelaide is not far behind Sydney with a maximum of 37 degrees on Saturday – but rain developing in the late afternoon may provide some reprieve.
SA towns such as Coober Pedy, Port Augusta, Roxby Downs, Moomba and Renmark will all reach maximums of 47 degrees on Saturday.
Inland NSW towns Broken Hill, Mildura, Ivanhoe and Wicannia will see temperatures in the low to mid 40s on Saturday before the weather moves to the coast on Sunday.
‘On Saturday, severe to extreme fire dangers will continue in South Australia and extend into Northern Victoria and in parts of NSW,’ Mr How said.
‘And on Sunday, very high to severe fire dangers are forecast for eastern NSW and southeast Queensland.’
‘People should also be aware of severe heatwave conditions over inland parts, reaching the coast over the weekend and intensifying to extreme levels for northeast NSW and southeast Queensland into next week.’