Overview
- BoM says a southerly change swept South Australia and Victoria on Friday and moved through New South Wales on Saturday, dropping temperatures by up to about 20C.
- The heatwave delivered widespread 40C-plus readings, including 44.1C at Borrona Downs and 43.5C at Sydney’s Holsworthy, with Sydney twice topping 42C in the same summer for the first time since 2013.
- Severe thunderstorms are forecast for northern and inland NSW, with the risk of damaging wind gusts, heavy rain capable of flash flooding, and large hail.
- Dozens of fires remain active with authorities reporting at least 300 buildings destroyed, and smoke from the Yowrie fire has drifted into Sydney and its surrounds.
- Queensland braces for Tropical Cyclone Koji to make landfall near Townsville on Sunday before weakening over land, with heavy rain expected over already saturated catchments.