Australia weather: BOM warns heatwave will sweep across the nation this summer
Australians warned of ‘mega’ heat wave and hotter than usual in summer – with city set to endure 44C heat wave this week
- Northern Australia hit by heat ‘straight from the desert’ this week
- South East Queensland will get a three day run of mid 30C days from Tuesday
- Bureau of Meteorology has issued a heat wave warning with advice to stay cool
- Western Australia has already endured scorching explosions of temperatures of up to 45C
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Large parts of Australia are in firing line for days of scorching blasts ‘straight from the desert’, warning those vulnerable to heat to stay indoors and insulate their homes.
A swath of superheated air stretches across the northern third of Australia, driving seasonally high temperatures into southeastern Queensland where it will swelter above 35°C for at least three days.
This is just the start of what the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) says will be a scorching hot summer, with Mt Isa already gazing over the course of a 44C day on Friday.
Superheated air blows from the dessert, creating a scorching start to the Australian summer
West and central Queensland, along with the Top End, will experience baking temperatures into the 40s with the country’s hottest settlement, Marble Bar in WA, expected to endure three consecutive days of 45C maxima.
The BoM’s official heat wave warning for northern Australia means the mercury will rise above average for more than 72 hours.
In this case, maximum temperatures will rise by 4C to 8C above average.
The Red Cross has outlined the best way for vulnerable Aussies to keep their cool.
If anyone you know shows signs of heat stroke (fits, confusion, staggering), call 000 immediately (pictured general image of woman passing out)
“Close your windows and draw blinds, curtains or shades early in the day to keep the heat out of your home,” the Red Cross said.
“Take a cool shower and splash yourself with cold water several times a day, or use a damp cloth.
“To cool off, go to an air-conditioned building in your neighborhood: a mall, community center, movie theater, library, or swimming pool.”
The RvM also advises people to perform necessary outdoor activities, such as shopping or gardening, early in the day and to drink plenty of water, even if they are not thirsty.
The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a heat wave warning advising people to stay out of the sun by doing necessary outdoor chores early in the day
The heat wave warning follows a spring that was cooler and wetter than usual across the country.
But temperatures in the summer and especially in January are expected to be well above average.
The higher temperatures come after Victoria and NSW struggled with devastating flooding over the past month.
Temperatures in Sydney are expected to hover around the mid to high 20s until Thursday, but will dip below 20s for the rest of the week.
The warm weather over the weekend in major capitals caused many to flock to the water (pictured by swimmer at Bondi Beach in Sydney)
Winds will carry hot air from the northwest to the southeast ahead of troughs and cold fronts moving across the south of the country.
Melbourne and Adelaide will both benefit from the cool air in the south as temperatures remain around 20 degrees.
