Severe heatwave burst to thrash majority of Australia over weekend

Written By Stephen

Moving from Birmingham to Perth had it's challenges...So I made a blog to document what I learnt.

The southeastern parts of Australia are ready to be smashed by an intense heatwave, with temperatures soaring up to 15C above the November average, while the northern and western parts of the country are battling severe thunderstorms, intense lashings of rain and flash flooding.

The Bureau of Meteorology had issued a heatwave warning for residents across the southeastern parts of Australia, which will face bursts of severe heat as north-easterly winds usher in hot air across the south.

“The spell of hot weather is expected to impact large parts of South Australia, central and southern New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania over the coming days,” said Meteorologist Helen Reid.

Heat is expected to smash the southeastern parts of Australia this weekend.
Camera IconHeat is expected to smash the southeastern parts of Australia this weekend. Credit: NewsWire

Temperatures across certain parts of the country are expected to reach the mid-30s through the rest of the week and into the weekend, and while most of the spurts of hot weather have been only one or two days at a time, followed by “chillier” conditions, residents are being warned of longer bouts of hot days to come.

“This time around, most places will get three days of warm weather before milder conditions arrive,” said Ms Reid.

A heatwave warning has been issued for residents in East Gippsland region, with day and night temperatures exceeding the national average for this time of year.

Severe heatwave warnings are expected to come into place across the Snowy Mountains region of NSW, and extend into the Illawarra district on Friday.

Conditions are set to ease for residents in South Australia and Tasmania over the weekend, however, the heat will stick around in Victoria and NSW until early next week.

The south-eastern parts of Australia are ready to be smashed by an intense heatwave, which is set to continue through to the end of the week and into the weekend.
Camera IconThe southeastern parts of Australia are ready to be smashed by an intense heatwave, which is set to continue through to the end of the week and into the weekend. Credit: NewsWire

In contrast, wild thunderstorms smashed parts of Western Australia and Queensland on Wednesday, with a threat of further damaging winds and severe rainfall resulting in potential flash flooding.

Overnight, scattered showers were recorded throughout Central and Northern Queensland, with some areas recording severe thunderstorms and enormous lashings of rain.

Areas of southern Queensland were drenched with rain; more than 68mm of rain was recorded in one hour across Charleville in southwest Queensland on Wednesday afternoon, with Lesdale experiencing more than 153mm of rain in the span of two hours.

Brisbane Wet Weather
Camera IconIt has been a wild and wet week for Queensland and WA residents. NewsWire / Glen Campbell Credit: News Corp Australia

A low-pressure trough across parts of Central Queensland Coast will cause brief and intense rainfall throughout Thursday.

“Queensland’s Central Coast and Capricornia are likely to bare the brunt of rainfall throughout Thursday,” said Ms Reid, who suggested rainfall may reach levels of 100-200mm, especially in areas like Mackay.

“Significantly, the coastal trough is expected to deepen off the central Queensland coast, enhancing shower and thunderstorm activity around the east coast,” said Ms Reid.

The rain is set to continue for residents across Queensland, who are bracing for a hot and wet summer, with warnings of flash flooding and rising river levels across areas with heavy rainfall.

Residents in Western Australia were also impacted by severe thunderstorms and heavy rainfall on Wednesday evening, which are expected to continue throughout parts of the state and into the Northern Territory.

STORMY WEATHER
Camera IconParts of Australia will be hit with heavy rainfall. NewsWire / Nikki Short Credit: News Corp Australia

Temperatures in Brisbane will reach a maximum of 25C on Thursday, with a medium chance of showers heading into the evening, most likely in the east.

Thunderstorms will hit Darwin, with a high chance of rain and thunderstorms in the early morning and throughout the afternoon, reaching a maximum temperature of 33C.

Temperatures in Sydney will reach a top of 25C on Thursday, with cloudy conditions and a slight chance of showers in the morning.

For those in Melbourne, people can expect a warm and cloudy day, with a maximum temperature of 29C and light winds becoming southerly in the early afternoon.

Warmer conditions will be expected in Adelaide on Thursday, reaching a maximum of 34C with sunny skies and light winds.

People in Perth can expect a cloudy day with a medium chance of showers in the morning, which are set to ease in the afternoon, reaching a maximum temperature of 22C. It will be a slightly cloudy day in Canberra with light winds, reaching a top of 27C. Residents in Hobart will also have a cloudy day, with light winds in the early afternoon and a top of 22C.

source