It’s the kind of heat you feel before sunrise—thick air, still windows, and the slow hum of fans already at work. Across much of Australia, the long weekend became something else entirely: a test of patience, shade, and hydration.
Cities Sweat Through Record Temperatures
Across the Australia Day long weekend, several Australian states faced intense heatwave conditions, with temperatures far above usual summer averages. Adelaide saw the mercury climb past 45°C, and some towns in South Australia pushed towards 48°C. In Canberra, the heat hit 40°C, while Brisbane sweltered at 37°C.
Even Melbourne, no stranger to heatwaves, endured a rough stretch. Saturday brought 38°C, and Tuesday is forecast to reach 44°C, raising serious concerns among health and emergency services. Though Sydney hovered around 27°C, it still experienced strain, particularly on vulnerable residents and emergency response systems.
Long Weekend Plans Canceled As Heat Intensifies
In South Australia, popular public events like “Aus Lights on the River” were called off due to safety concerns. The event, which usually attracts over 25,000 people, was meant to be a highlight of the weekend. Organisers cited extreme weather warnings as the main reason for the cancellation—a move echoed by other states adjusting or postponing outdoor activities, explains 9News.
Melbourne Faces One Of Its Worst Heatwaves In Years
Authorities in Victoria warned that the region is facing its most intense heat stretch since 2009. Emergency services urged people to avoid travel during peak heat, check on elderly neighbours, and keep pets inside. Tim Wiebusch, Victoria’s Emergency Management Commissioner, said the next seven days could be “dangerously hot” across much of the state.
Fire authorities issued total fire bans in several districts, warning that high temperatures combined with dry conditions made the risk of bushfires significantly higher than normal.
Heat-Related Health Risks And Emergency Incidents
It wasn’t just outdoor events being affected. Ambulance Victoria reminded residents never to leave children, pets, or elderly people in parked cars—no matter how short the stop. In just one weekend, paramedics responded to 11 cases of children being locked inside overheated vehicles.
Hospitals reported a slight increase in heat-related presentations, mostly involving dehydration, heat exhaustion, and minor burns from hot surfaces.
Cyclone Luana Brings Rain To The West
While the southeast baked, the northwest braced for the remnants of Cyclone Luana, which made landfall in Western Australia as a Category 2 storm. Areas around Broome were hit with more than 100mm of rainfall and wind gusts over 100km/h. The storm weakened as it moved inland but left behind flooding, downed power lines, and some road closures.
From fire warnings and event cancellations to cyclonic rains in the west, the long weekend was anything but quiet. For Australians, it was a reminder of how quickly plans—and temperatures—can shift.
