Extreme heatwave conditions and record temperatures expected across south and southeast Australia

Severe heatwave conditions are forecast across much of inland South Australia, New South Wales, and Victoria over the coming days, the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) warned on Wednesday, November 25, 2020. The mercury is also expected to smash all-time spring and November temperature records in some areas. The agency said the heat may bring fire hazards in the Northern Rivers region and the Great Dividing Range.

Maximum temperatures are forecast to be 15 to 18 °C (27 to 33 °F) above the average, with temperatures soaring into the mid or high 40s (°C) (95 – 104 °F) for inland parts of South Australia and New South Wales on Friday through Sunday, November 27 through 29.

BOM meteorologist Dean Narramore said while the heat is normal for this time of the year as the country approaches the start of summer, it's notable as temperatures reaching up to 20 °C (36 °F) above average in some locations could equal or exceed November temperature records.

Heat is building across much of Australia and will increase further across much of southern Australia on Thursday, November 26 with temperatures up to 12 °C (21.6 °F) above average.

Friday through the weekend will be the peak of the heat for much of the southeast inland as temperatures soar up to 18 °C (32.4 °F) above average over multiple days.

Sky News Weather meteorologist Tom Saunders warned that the heatwave will be "blistering," and Australians are "looking at a wave of extreme weather."

All-time spring records may be broken as severe heatwave conditions are likely for much of inland South Australia, NWS, and northern Victoria.

"On Saturday, there could be temperatures of over 45 °C (113 °F) so we're talking about all-time spring and November records being broken," Saunders added.

Narramore also noted that on Saturday, the hottest will be "definitely inland South Australia." He continued, "Once you kind of get north of Port Augusta it will be temperatures into the 48 C (118.4 F), 49 C (120.2 F) mark, so very hot air."

Mildura, for instance, is looking at 38 °C (100.4 °F) on Thursday rising to 45 °C (113 °F) on Sunday.

"There will be oppressive heat for these areas. But the western suburbs of Sydney could be climbing to 40 °C (104 °F) as well," said Saunders.

The extreme heat and windy conditions would bring fire hazards, particularly in the Northern Rivers region and northwest of the Great Dividing Range.

BOM meteorologist Helen Reid said the agency is keeping a close eye on the fire danger associated with the warm, heatwave conditions. "It is going to be quite a volatile situation."

Featured image credit: GFS, TropicalTidbits