Millions of Australians will be affected by a scorching heatwave sweeping across the country’s southeast as firefighters battle to contain major fires.
A blast of warm air caused by northerly winds that will become a trough of low pressure will force temperatures to soar across Victoria, South Australia and the Northern Territory over the weekend.
Parts of southern Australia will reach a sweltering 40C and the extreme heat is forecast to last until Monday, according to Weatherzone.
Temperatures will reach 43C in Coober Pedy, while residents in Roxby Downs and Port Augusta will also swelter in temperatures of 41C and 42C on Saturday.
The mercury will reach 36C in Adelaide on Saturday, while temperatures of 33C are forecast for Sunday.
Northern and southern parts of Victoria are also likely to see temperatures close to 40C due to the hot air mass that will hit the state over the weekend.
Mildura, in the state’s far northwest, will soar to 41C on Saturday, while Bendigo residents will experience temperatures of 38C.
Melbourne will also be hit by temperatures of 38C on Saturday before the temperature drops slightly to a high of 37C on Sunday before a cold turn next week.
A blast of hot air caused by northerly winds that will become a trough of low pressure will force temperatures to soar in southeastern parts of the country (weather map pictured)
The heatwave will also affect areas near the Grampian region in the west of the state.
Exasperated firefighters continue to battle the massive fire that has devastated around 76,000 hectares of land in the Grampians National Park.
The fire, which has been burning for several weeks, has affected 40 percent of the national park or about the size of Singapore.
“This is the fifth fire in 20 years, and the third major fire in that park, so the ongoing impact on some of the species is starting to be felt now,” Victoria State Control spokeswoman Reegan Key said.
“So we’ve sent planes and crews burning towards the fire… we’ve also had some deliveries (of food) for the rock kangaroos.”
Locals were urged to monitor conditions and authorities urged visitors to stay away from the Grampians National Park, which will remain closed until further notice.
The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a severe heatwave warning for several areas including the North East, East Gippsland and the Northern and Central Districts until Monday.
Exasperated firefighters continue to battle the massive fire that has devastated around 76,000 hectares of land in the Grampians National Park (pictured).
There are also more than 10 fires in Western Australia, but by Friday afternoon all had been downgraded to recommended levels.
The heatwave will also affect New South Wales and the Northern Territory.
Temperatures in Tibbooburra, in far north-west New South Wales, and the inland town of Broken Hill, in western New South Wales, will reach 40C on Saturday.
Sydney will reach high temperatures of 29C on Saturday before the mercury rises to 31C on Sunday.
Temperatures will remain in the low to mid-30s in Darwin next week with highs of 33C predicted for the weekend.
Bureau of Meteorology meteorologist Johnathan How said weather conditions were not expected to improve until Monday.
Sydney will reach high temperatures of 29C on Saturday before the mercury rises to 31C on Sunday.
“Low intensity heatwaves are common at this time of year, but once we get into the severe category, especially with hot days and warm nights, some people can find it quite challenging,” Mr How said.
brisbane
Saturday: Possible shower. Min 21. Max 29.
Sunday: Mostly sunny. Min 20. Max 30.
Monday: Partly cloudy. Min 20. Max 30.
Sydney
Saturday: Sunny. Min 19. Max 29.
Sunday: Sunny. Min 20. Max 31.
Monday: Mostly sunny. Min 21. Max 33.
Temperatures will remain in the mid- to upper 30s in Darwin next week, with highs of 33C predicted for the weekend.
Melbourne
Saturday: Sunny. Min 17. Max 37.
Sunday: Partly cloudy. Min 22. Max 38.
Monday: Showers. Min 18. Max 23.
Canberra
Saturday: Possible storm. Min 12. Max 33.
Sunday: Partly cloudy. Min 15. Max 35.
Monday: Shower or two. Min 17. Max 35.
Melbourne will also be hit by temperatures of 38C on Saturday before the temperature drops slightly to a high of 37C on Sunday.
hobart
Saturday: Mostly sunny. Min 13. Max 28.
Sunday: Shower or two. Min 15. Max 22.
Monday: Shower or two clears. Min 16. Max 20.
Adelaide
Saturday: Partly cloudy. Min 21. Max 36.
Sunday: Partly cloudy. Min 25. Max 35.
Monday: Shower or two. Min 17. Max 35.
Parts of southern Australia will reach a sweltering 40C and the extreme heat is forecast to last until Monday depending on the climate zone (weather map pictured)
Perth
Saturday: Sunny. Min 17. Max 30.
Sunday: Sunny. Min 16. Max 32.
Monday: Sunny. Min 19. Max 35.
Darwin
Saturday: Shower or two. Possible storm. Min 25. Max 33.
Sunday: Shower or two. Possible storm. Min 25. Max 34.
Monday: Shower or two. Possible storm. Min 24. Max 33.