Australia is facing a potentially record-breaking heatwave, with more than half the country set to swelter under extreme temperatures that meteorologists say could rival the conditions experienced during the catastrophic Black Summer bushfires. The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) has issued warnings that soaring heat, combined with dry conditions, will create extreme fire danger across multiple states.
Senior BoM meteorologist Angus Hines said western and south-western New South Wales (NSW) were likely to experience consecutive days of scorching heat this week. Sydney, he said, could see temperatures reaching the high 30s and low 40s by Saturday.
“We’ll be seeing 39C or 40C right through the Sydney area for Saturday,” Hines said, highlighting the intensity of the approaching conditions.
In South Australia, temperatures are expected to soar to 47C by Thursday in Port Augusta and Tarcoola in the far north, while Adelaide is forecast to reach a high of 42C on Wednesday. The heat is projected to linger across the metropolitan area into Thursday, with little relief in sight.
The heatwave, which has been building across Western Australia for several days, is set to extend eastward into South Australia, NSW, and Victoria from Tuesday. Hines warned that fire danger would reach extreme levels across large portions of the country, with total fire bans likely to be implemented in affected regions.
“All the way from northern South Australia down to the south-east, through the ACT, southern NSW, and eastern parts of Victoria, it’s a prolonged run of very hot days as well as hot nights,” Hines said. “If any bushfires do get going under these conditions, they can spread extremely quickly and be very difficult, or even impossible, to contain.”
Victoria and South Australia are expected to bear the brunt of the heat on Wednesday. Michael Efron, another senior meteorologist at the BoM, said temperatures in much of Victoria could climb into the low to mid-40s on that day. Melbourne itself is forecast to reach 42C, marking its first 40C day in January since 2020.
While temperatures in Melbourne may ease slightly on Thursday, northern and eastern parts of Victoria could see potentially record-breaking highs approaching 46C. Efron also warned of thunderstorms, which are unlikely to bring substantial rainfall but could spark bushfires due to lightning strikes combined with hot, dry conditions.
“Hot conditions and gusty, erratic winds are expected to redevelop over much of Victoria on Friday, elevating the fire risk even further,” he said.
In response to the extreme conditions, Victoria’s emergency management commissioner, Tim Wiebusch, issued a statewide warning advising residents to prepare for dangerous heat. “People need to prepare and charge their devices now and make sure you continue to do that over these coming days,” Wiebusch said, emphasizing the importance of readiness during prolonged heat events.
Energy providers have also raised concerns about the pressure the heatwave could place on the electricity grid. Matthew Sweeting, from Ausgrid, said soaring temperatures would likely drive record spikes in power demand as households turn up air conditioning. “There is an increased risk of unplanned outages during prolonged heatwave conditions, due to an increase in demand on the grid,” he said.
The Bureau of Meteorology defines a heatwave as three consecutive days of above-average temperatures. Australia has already experienced an exceptionally warm year, with 2025 recorded as the fourth-warmest year on record. Average temperatures were 1.3C above the 1961–1990 mean, following 2024, the nation’s second-warmest year.
Climatology specialist Nadine D’Argent said, “South Australia and Western Australia both recorded their third-warmest years, and between January and March, and October to December, large parts of Australia experienced severe heatwave conditions.” She emphasized that the climate crisis has increased the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, including prolonged heatwaves.
The combination of high temperatures, low humidity, and gusty winds creates a dangerous environment for bushfires, a risk Australians are all too familiar with after the devastating Black Summer fires in 2019–2020. That season claimed more than 30 lives, destroyed thousands of homes, and burned over 18 million hectares of land.
Authorities are urging residents to take precautions, including limiting outdoor activities, ensuring access to cool spaces, staying hydrated, and following official fire warnings. Fire services are on high alert across the affected regions, with crews prepared to respond to any outbreak under severe conditions.
The unfolding heatwave serves as a stark reminder of Australia’s vulnerability to climate extremes. With experts warning that prolonged periods of extreme heat are becoming more frequent due to climate change, communities are facing increasing pressure to adapt and prepare for life in a warming country.
As Australians brace for a week of intense heat, officials have stressed the importance of vigilance, particularly in fire-prone areas. The coming days are expected to test the resilience of the country’s emergency services, infrastructure, and communities, echoing the dangerous conditions witnessed during past catastrophic heat events.
