Australia has been basking in a Spring heatwave, with the unseasonably hot weather expected to continue across most of the nation for the rest of the week.
Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Darwin, Canberra and Brisbane are all in the middle of near-record temperature for early October – with the hot weather likely portent of what is predicted to be a sizzling summer feature long dry spells and high fire danger.
With the hot weather coinciding with the October long weekend, popular beaches across the nation were packed as thousands gathered to embrace the glorious heat.
And don’t pack away the sunscreen and beach towels just yet as temperatures forecast to surge beyond 30 degrees across most states.
In Sydney’s western suburbs, temperatures are expected to soar to highs of 33 degrees in Penrith, Bankstown and Richmond over the next four days.
| SYDNEY | MELBOURNE | BRISBANE | ADELAIDE | CANBERRA | DARWIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday – 33 degrees Tuesday – 33 degrees Wednesday – 23 degrees Thursday – 21 degrees Friday – 24 degrees Saturday – 24 degrees Sunday – 25 degrees | Monday – 35 degrees Tuesday – 35 degrees Wednesday – 18 degrees Thursday – 22 degrees Friday – 25 degrees Saturday – 23 degrees Sunday – 27 degrees | Monday – 32 degrees Tuesday – 31 degrees Wednesday – 29 degrees Thursday – 27 degrees Friday – 25 degrees Saturday – 25 degrees Sunday – 26 degrees | Monday – 36 degrees Tuesday – 26 degrees Wednesday – 20 degrees Thursday – 25 degrees Friday – 29 degrees Saturday – 29 degrees Sunday – 25 degrees | Monday – 31 degrees Tuesday – 31 degrees Wednesday – 22 degrees Thursday – 21 degrees Friday – 26 degrees Saturday – 24 degrees Sunday – 25 degrees | Monday – 33 degrees Tuesday – 31 degrees Wednesday – 32 degrees Thursday – 33 degrees Friday – 33 degrees Saturday – 34 degrees Sunday – 34 degrees |
| Source: Bureau of Meteorology | |||||
Thousands of have rushed to beaches in and around Sydney, including the famous Bondi Beach as they attempt to beat the heat.
The heatwave has caused traffic chaos in Melbourne with major delays on the city’s rail network as it experiences its hottest day on record.
Meanwhile in northern Queensland, residents are struggling to control a bushfire near Townsville.
Fire crews had spent several hours on Monday morning trying to contain the blaze at Hervey Range as residents were urged to evacuate their homes.
Residents in the village on Thornton Gap Road are warned to enact their bushfire plan immediately – and to leave if they don’t have one.
Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) said spot fires could break out due to embers being thrown from the fire.
Residents in the area could lose power, water and mobile phone facilities over the course of Monday afternoon.
QFES has warned fire crews won’t be able to protect every affected property.
Leaving is the safest option, it said.
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