Overview
- Severe to extreme heatwave conditions are now in effect from Western Australia’s northwest to Tasmania’s northeast, with Melbourne and Adelaide expected to hit about 42C today and inland centres pushing 45–47C.
- Authorities have declared total fire bans across key Victorian districts, including Melbourne and Geelong, and across most of South Australia, with additional firefighting aircraft placed on standby.
- Emergency-level bushfires have erupted near the NSW–Victoria border around Bungil, Granya and Thologolong with leave-now orders issued, and separate warnings remain in the Mt Lawson State Park area.
- The Bureau of Meteorology warns fire danger will peak on Friday as a strong change brings destructive northerly winds and the risk of dry lightning, with some thunderstorms possible on Thursday.
- Health and energy agencies caution that unusually warm nights elevate heat illness and grid strain, while a separate tropical low off North Queensland carries a moderate chance of developing into a cyclone later this week.