The Australian Capital Territory is facing its worst bushfire threat in more than 15 years, the territory’s Chief Minister has said, as the south of the country faces a weekend of contrasts – of “life threatening” heatwaves and flash flooding.
Parts of Sydney could reach a scorching 43C on Saturday.
An extreme heatwave - the most intense you can get that affects both the fit and healthy and the vulnerable - is engulfing southeastern Australia, bringing with it a potentially horrific day of bushfires in the ACT.
A state of emergency was declared for the state on Friday by ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr, who said that Canberra would face its “biggest bushfire threat” since 2003’s devastating fires.
“The combination of extreme heat, wind and a dry landscape will place suburbs at Canberra’s south at risk in the coming days,” he said.
Of most concern is the out-of-control, 24,000-hectare fire in Namadgi National Park, which is currently at a Watch and Act level.
“It has been unpredictable,” Emergency Services Commissioner Georgeina Whelan said.
“This fire could create its own weather system.”
Canberra faces a second day of the mercury exceeding 40C on Saturday – with “textbook” fire conditions expected – and storms and 35C predicted for Sunday.
But South Australia is bracing for damaging winds, flooding and isolated rainfalls of up to 100mm.
The Bureau of Meteorology issued a severe thunderstorm warning for damaging winds and heavy rainfall, covering almost the entire state, on Friday afternoon. Parts of Kangaroo Island were submerged as more than 50mm of rain fell in just four hours.
Cars were bogged down and a local Woolworths was underwater.
The deluge is a result of heavy rain in Australia’s north which will hit South Australia the hardest before the wet weather band weakens and moves east through Victoria and NSW as the weekend progresses.
Rainfall totals around Adelaide are expected to be in the range of 20 to 80mm, with isolated falls of up to 100mm.
Authorities say the rain will provide temporary relief to volunteer firefighters but also creates the risk of flash flooding, prompting a warning for people to avoid deadly floodwaters.
VICTORIA
The merry-go-round weather experienced a week ago is set to return as sweltering hot and humid conditions submerge the state.
Authorities are facing a number of extremes over the weekend, including heat, dust, fire and thunderstorms.
Temperatures reached almost 43C at Melbourne Park just after 3pm on Friday making the state feel more like Darwin with its tropical, oppressive weather.
Saturday looking at 32C.
The heat saw severe fire danger forecast on Friday in the Mallee, Wimmera, Northern Country, North Central, South West and Central districts. The Northern region will continue to have a severe fire danger rating on Saturday but conditions should ease on Sunday.
Severe thunderstorms are a risk on Saturday.
NEW SOUTH WALES
NSW residents are being warned that extreme heat, strong winds, dust and thunderstorms pose a threat to health and could lead to bushfires flaring once again.
Temperatures continued to climb on Friday and are expected to do the same on Saturday, reaching into the 40s in the state’s southeast and west.
Bureau of Meteorology acting NSW manager Jane Golding said the high temperatures, coupled with strong winds, will create very high fire danger along the state’s south coast.
“With the heat comes fire,” Ms Golding said on Friday.
Total fire bans have been issued for Saturday in the Illawarra, Monaro Alpine, Southern Slopes, Far south coast, Southern Ranges Monaro Alpine and Southern Ranges.
Ms Golding said the Central West slopes, Southwest Slopes and the Riverina could experience dust storms generated by thunderstorms on Sunday.
Thunderstorms are also expected in central eastern NSW.
With heatwave conditions forecast through to Sunday, NSW Health Director of Environmental Health Dr Richard Broome said people should take extra care to keep cool by staying indoors during the heat of the day and minimising physical activity.
“Even though Australians are used to hot weather, we know that conditions like those forecast cause severe and even life-threatening illness,” said Dr Broome.
WEEKEND FORECAST
Sydney is looking at 34C on Saturday – with the chance of the city’s west reaching a scorching 43C – and 33C on Sunday. It could see possible storms and rainfall on Sunday afternoon.
Hobart, which also felt the heat on Friday when the mercury hit 40C, will drop back to 28C on Saturday, and back again to 21C on Sunday., with the mercury expected to hit 40C before dropping back to 28C tomorrow and 21C on Sunday.
In Adelaide, a top of 36C was expected on Friday, cooling down to 25C on Saturday and 22C on Sunday.
The mercury was forecast to hit 43C in Melbourne on Friday, with tops of 33C on Saturday and 23C on Sunday.
For West Australians, much of the heat in Perth travelled east on Friday, where the mercury hit 24C. The capital has a sunny weekend ahead, with 29C forecast for Saturday and 33C on Sunday.
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