A brief heatwave is set to sweep across south-eastern Australia, with forecasts indicating temperatures nearing 40 degrees Celsius in major cities like Adelaide, Melbourne, and Sydney from today until Sunday. Warm, dry north-easterly winds are responsible for this surge in warmth, prompting meteorologists to advise residents to relish the summer-like conditions while they last. However, a significant change is anticipated as a cold front approaches, causing temperatures to drop sharply from Monday onwards.
This upcoming shift means that many will experience drastically different weather shortly. For instance, while some suburbs in Sydney will bask in 40-degree heat by Sunday, the NRL clash between Parramatta and West Tigers will coincide with a steamy 37 degrees at 4:05 pm—a situation likely prompting extra drinks breaks for players to cope with the heat. By Tuesday, Sydney’s temperatures are expected to plummet to a maximum of just 24 degrees.
Melbourne is also set for a heat peak, with Sunday’s qualifying sessions for the Australian Grand Prix expected to reach 37 degrees. Outer suburbs may see even higher, with Tullamarine projected at 39 degrees. Yet, race day is predicted to be considerably cooler and possibly wetter by 3 pm.
In South Australia, the capital city will experience its finest weather today, peaking at 38 degrees, before descending to a maximum of 21 degrees on Monday. Farmers in the region may welcome a forecast of light rain when the cold front arrives, but it will do little to ease the blistering conditions experienced before.
The nation’s capital, Canberra, will notably feel this weather shift, with a high of 35 degrees before temperatures drop to single digits overnight from Monday, making for chilly mornings. Beyond the capital, ski fields in New South Wales anticipate sub-zero temperatures and frost beginning Tuesday.
Tasmania will see a warm day tomorrow with highs of 28 degrees in Hobart, which will drastically fall to 17 degrees as the cold front moves in. Snowfall is also expected for areas above 1000 metres, including Mount Wellington, adding to the winter-like conditions soon to prevail.
This rapid weather change comes just in time for the March equinox next week and the end of daylight saving time in several states, including NSW and Victoria. Residents are urged to make the most of the fleeting warm conditions before cooler weather sets in.