A severe and early summer heatwave is gripping multiple regions across Australia, pushing temperatures past 40 degrees Celsius in New South Wales as authorities in Tasmania battle dangerous bushfires threatening properties.
Heatwave Warnings and Fire Threats Escalate
Heatwave warnings are active for parts of New South Wales, the Northern Territory, Queensland, and Western Australia. The situation is particularly acute in WA's Pilbara region, which is under an extreme heatwave warning, and along the east coast of NSW, which is experiencing its first major heat event of the season.
In Tasmania, firefighting efforts are concentrated on a bushfire at Dolphin Sands in the state's east. The Tasmania Fire Service has advised residents who evacuated that it is not yet safe to return. Simon Pilkington, the service's southern regional chief, confirmed on Friday morning that the service was "aware of property losses in Dolphin Sands" and would be conducting rapid impact assessments.
Other areas in Tasmania, including Glenlusk near Hobart, have been given the all-clear to return with caution, while residents in Abels Bay, Colebrook, Levendale, and Rhyndaston are urged to monitor conditions closely.
Record Temperatures and Extreme Fire Danger
In New South Wales, the heat built rapidly. By 10am on Friday, temperatures had already reached 31C in the Sydney CBD and Richmond, and 33C at Olympic Park. Bureau of Meteorology forecaster Jonathan How noted the swift onset, attributing it to westerly winds. Forecasts predicted highs of 35C for Sydney's city and eastern suburbs, with areas west of Parramatta likely to hit 40C.
Scone and Muswellbrook in the Hunter region were expecting 40C and 41C respectively, while Newcastle was forecast to reach 39C. A severe heatwave warning covers the Hunter, metropolitan Sydney, Illawarra, central tablelands, southern tablelands and Snowy Mountains regions. An extreme heatwave warning remains for the south coast.
Extreme fire danger ratings were declared for areas including Sydney and the Hunter. How warned that the peak of the heatwave was expected on Saturday, with temperatures potentially above 30C by 9am, and a risk of dry lightning from evening thunderstorms that could ignite new blazes.
Nationwide Heat and a Changing Climate
The intense conditions are not confined to the south-east. The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a severe heatwave warning for Queensland's north-west Gulf Country. Warnings also remain for the Tiwi, Daly and Gregory regions of the NT and the Kimberley in WA.
In Western Australia's Pilbara and inland Kimberley, temperatures are forecast to be brutally high. Areas inland from Broome, such as Fitzroy Crossing, could see the mercury rise to 45C on Friday and Saturday, and a staggering 46C on Sunday and Monday.
This extreme weather event occurs against a backdrop of long-term climate shifts. The Bureau of Meteorology states that Australia's national annual average temperature is now about 1.5C higher than it was in 1910, with the climate crisis increasing the frequency and severity of such extreme weather events.
Authorities are urging the public to take sensible precautions: stay out of the sun, drink plenty of water, and monitor warnings from fire services. A cool change is expected to move up the NSW coast from Saturday evening, reaching Sydney by early Sunday morning with some light showers.
