While it’s definitely a warm Australia Day, the scorching temperatures that had been forecast have not quite materialised … at least in some parts of the country.
As the mercury soared over the weekend, travellers – whether they were settled in at a coastal caravan park or camping out in the bush – were buckling ’in for a January 26 that was going to be hot, hot, hot!
However, a cool change has taken the sting out of the heatwave in many parts.
Not in Sydney though. The city is expected to hit a maximum of 36C today and break a longstanding record with a five day-average of 33C after a long weekend of scorching temperatures.
“It’s not just a one-off day of heat, the sort of heat on its own wouldn’t be a worry for most people but it’s been a spell of building heat and it’s probably starting to take its toll for some people,” meteorologist from Weatherzone Brett Dutschke told nine.com.au.
Other parts of NSW, such as Lightning Ridge, are forecast to hit more than 40C.
The heat has prompted a warning from health officials for people to stay hydrated and seek shade where they can. A cool change is expected later today.
After sweltering through a serious heatwave in recent days, Victoria is now a bit cooler. Melbourne received early respite from the heatwave yesterday afternoon with temperatures dropping as much as 10C in an hour. Melbourne’s predicted maximum us 22C, while places like Mildura should hit 30C.
It’s also going to be pretty steamy in Queensland. A low in the Gulf of Carpentaria has a low-to-mid chance of developing into a cyclone but that isn’t expected to occur before tomorrow, if it does occur at all. For Brisbane, the temperature is expected to hit 31C.
Perth is expected to have a classic Perth summer day on Australia Day. The forecast shows a maximum of 31C and clear skies.
Adelaide is also receiving some respite from the heatwave that struck the south-east of the country. After temperatures scorched to high-40s, the maximum today is forecast to be 24C and partly cloudy.
In Canberra, temperatures are expected to remain in the low-30s for much of the day before a late shower. The maximum temperature forecast is 35C.
The cool wind that brought respite to Melbourne and Adelaide also helped Hobart on Monday. Temperatures there had peaked in the high-30s before the afternoon change. A possible morning shower is forecast for Hobart today, with a maximum of 22C.
Darwin might continue to get rain and storms are possible, with the same tropical low in Queensland’s north potentially grazing the Top End. The forecast is for a maximum of 29C.
