Key points
- Australia’s south-eastern states will see temperatures of between 30 and 40 degrees, generating fire conditions.
- Fire dangers are expected in South Australia, with catastrophic levels in two regions.
- Severe storms will hit inland Western Australia, parts of Queensland and north-eastern NSW.
People in Australia’s south and south-east have been told to prepare for high fire danger this weekend, with heat and strong winds expected over the next few days.
The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) says gusty conditions and temperatures of the upper 30s to low 40s will push into parts of South Australia, Victoria and NSW over the weekend.
In particular, locally damaging winds will affect alpine areas of NSW and Victoria. A bad weather warning is expected in those areas.
Warm conditions will gradually ease across northern NSW and Queensland.
Catastrophic fire danger in South Australia
Fire danger is expected to peak in southern parts of South Australia on Saturday, according to the BoM. A “catastrophic” rating has been issued in the eastern Eyre Peninsula and Yorke Peninsula.
Another eight districts in South Australia have an “extreme” rating, just one level below “catastrophic”.
The SA Country Fire Service (CFS) is urging South Australians to be vigilant this weekend, with the first significant fire threat of the season expected on Saturday.
“I urge residents to check on any recent private fires today and tomorrow to ensure they are completely out and cool,” said Brett Loughlin, general manager of the CFS.
“We ask the public to support us by refraining from engaging in risky activities this weekend during what will be dangerous fire conditions.
“We also urge anyone traveling to countryside areas to know their risk by checking the fire danger ratings in the borough they are traveling through or passing through, and to remain vigilant and informed about fires in the area.”
Extreme and high fire dangers in QLD, NSW and Victoria
Extreme fire danger is also forecast for north-west Victoria, while Queensland’s Channel Country, central west, heartland and coalfields, as well as Maranoa and Warrego are at high fire risk.
Hot, gusty conditions may impact fires already burning or spark new fires in those areas.
While conditions are expected to improve by Sunday, extreme fires are expected across the northwestern slopes and plains of NSW and Queensland’s Channel Country.
Thunderstorms are forecast across much of the country in a horseshoe pattern, said to hit the west, north and east.
Severe storms will hit inland Western Australia, across parts of central and south-eastern Queensland and north-eastern NSW.
In eastern areas, the BoM expects damaging wind gusts, heavy rain or large hail.
By Saturday, areas of stormy weather will extend further south into South Australia and inland NSW. In those areas, dry storms are said to increase the risk of wildfires.
Widespread rain is expected on Sunday and is expected to taper off in northern states by Monday.