Australia’s weather this weekend is shaping up to be a mixed bag—heatwaves and extreme fire danger for some, thunderstorms for others, and even snow on the horizon for a lucky few. Whether you’re in the blistering heat of New South Wales or the chilly mountains of Tasmania, this weekend will be anything but boring when it comes to the weather.
New South Wales: Scorching Heat and Fire Danger
In New South Wales, a severe heatwave warning has been issued, with temperatures expected to soar in Sydney, Illawarra, the Southern Tablelands, and the Snowy Mountains. Sydney is set to reach 35°C on Friday and 36°C on Saturday, with the western suburbs likely to see temperatures peaking around 40°C, reports 7News. It’s not just the heat that’s worrying; dry conditions combined with strong winds will also create extreme fire danger in much of the state.
Saturday is shaping up to be the peak of the heatwave, with parts of central and northern NSW facing extreme fire danger. Firefighters are on high alert, as the combination of hot air and winds could cause fires to spread rapidly. On top of that, thunderstorms are also in the mix, which could further fuel fire risks with lightning strikes. Fortunately, a cool change is expected to start pushing in from the southwest on Sunday, bringing some much-needed relief.
South Australia: Fire Risk and Thunderstorms
South Australia will also be experiencing hot and dry conditions, especially in the central and eastern parts of the state. With gusty northwesterly winds in the forecast, fire danger will be elevated heading into the weekend. As a result, fire crews are on standby. Thunderstorms are expected to roll in over Adelaide on Saturday, offering a slight chance of rain, but the respite will be short-lived. By Sunday, a high-pressure system will push in, causing temperatures to drop below average across the state, giving South Australians a break from the extreme heat.
Western Australia: The Kimberley and Pilbara Bake
It’s going to be scorching in Western Australia’s Kimberley and Pilbara regions, with severe heatwave conditions taking hold. Fitzroy Crossing and Kalumburu are expected to be among the hottest locations, with temperatures climbing well into the high 30s and low 40s. A broad area of low pressure will persist throughout the weekend in the northern parts of the state, but cooler conditions will push through the south, providing a bit of relief.
Victoria’s Weather: Winds, Snow, and Fire Danger
In Victoria, hot, dry conditions will combine with strong winds to create a dangerous fire risk, particularly across the western and central parts of the state. However, a cool change will make its way in on Saturday afternoon, bringing temperatures down and possibly even some snow to the highlands. It’s a strange but true feature of Aussie weather—fire danger one minute, snow the next!
Queensland and Northern Territory: Showers and Storms
For Queensland, the weekend will bring isolated showers and thunderstorms, especially in the southwest and southeastern interior near the New South Wales border. The rest of the state will have mostly sunny conditions, though a few storms could roll through on Sunday, particularly in central and southern regions. Northern Queensland will remain warmer, but not as extreme as other parts of the country.
Meanwhile, the Northern Territory will face a severe heatwave, particularly in the Daly and Tiwi regions. Temperatures will soar into the mid-30s and low-40s, and although a cool change is expected to arrive in the southern parts of the NT by Sunday, the heat will linger in the north for a bit longer. Showers and storms will be widespread across the top end, adding a bit of moisture to the otherwise dry conditions.
Tasmania: Winds and Snow
Tasmania will see some wild weather too, with severe wind warnings in place for the central and eastern parts of the state. A cold front will push through on Thursday, but another front is expected on Saturday, bringing with it some snow. It’s not quite winter yet, but it sure will feel like it on the peaks of the island.
