Aussie heat records expected to be set as temps nudge 50C

A series of heat records are forecast to tumble over the coming days as the country’s extreme weather conditions show no sign of abating.

Large parts of southeastern Australia are in the grips of a heatwave, with the Bureau of Meteorology issuing warnings for Western Australia, South Australia, the Northern Territory, Victoria, NSW, Queensland and the ACT.

Victoria is are preparing for the worst heatwave conditions the state has seen in almost 20 years.

“It was 2009 ahead of the bushfires where we saw those prevailing conditions,” said Victoria’s Emergency Management Commissioner Tim Wiebusch.

“We are indicating to all Victorians that this is a very serious set of weather conditions,” he said on Sunday.

Scorching conditions are again expected for most of the country on Australia Day, with temperatures reaching the mid to high 40s in some parts.

Adelaide is expected to reach a high of 45C on Monday.

If the South Australian capital does reach that mark, it will represent its hottest Australia Day on record, according to BOM meteorologist Jonathan How.

Adelaide is then forecast to peak at 41C on Tuesday, with Melbourne at 43C.

Ouyen, about an hour south of Mildura in northwestern Victoria, is forecast to break the state’s record for hottest day on Tuesday when it is forecast for a top of 49C.

“This could challenge, even exceed, the current Victorian heat record, which was set at Hopetoun back in 2009 of 48.8 degrees,” Mr How said.

“So we’ll be keeping a very close eye on numbers coming out of northwestern Victoria on Tuesday.

An extreme fire danger warning will be in place in western Victoria and southern parts of South Australia on Tuesday.

Victorians can expect a break from the extreme heat on Sunday, but BOM meteorologist Sarah Scully warned that wind gusts will elevate fire danger.

“Now the gusty winds associated with the trough will move into northeastern parts of Victoria, elevating the fire dangers there, reaching extreme, which is significant as there continues to be a number of ongoing fires,” Ms Scully said.

“Communities within this area are advised to make sure they stay up to date with the latest information from their local emergency services.”

Otways fires

The state’s bushfires have been burning for weeks, claiming 434 homes and 1054 outbuildings, with more than 34,000 livestock killed.

Communities in Victoria’s Otways have been urged to take action after a bushfire at Carlisle River, burning for the past two weeks, escaped containment on Saturday.

Shortly after 7pm, an emergency warning was issued for towns including Barongarook, Kawarren and Gellibrand after the blaze began moving in a different direction.

“It is too late to leave the area safely so you must take shelter now,” the alert reads.

“You are in danger and need to act immediately to survive.”

The out-of-control bushfire had been travelling in a southern direction, but a late wind change has pushed the fire in a north-easterly direction.

Embers are starting small fires up to 5km ahead of the front, authorities warn.

Smoke in Melbourne

Melbourne locals woke to the smell of smoke on Sunday as a result of the Carlisle River fire.

“I thought my building was on fire. I have a view of the CBD from my balcony an it’s engulfed in smoke,” one person wrote.

“Just walked out of a venue in Collingwood and the air’s so thick with smoke and smells like a bonfire,” another Reddit user said.

Tropical Cyclone Luana

On the other side of the country, Tropical Cyclone Luana hit the Dampier Peninsular coast on Saturday as a category two, weakening to a category one overnight.

The cyclone is expected to continue weakening as it moves further inland, however residents in the Derby and southern parts of the Dampier Peninsula are being warned to prepare for more heavy rain on Sunday.

Those in Western Australia’s Kimberley Region are assessing the damage this morning, with some parts only regaining power on Sunday.