According to an article by Reuters, Australia is preparing for a severe heatwave in the north and west during the New Year’s holiday weekend. Temperatures are expected to reach over 45 degrees Celsius (113°F). This comes after a destructive weather system hit the country’s east over Christmas, resulting in 10 deaths and widespread power outages. Additionally, Cyclone Jasper caused flooding and damage earlier this month.
The summer months of December-February in Australia are influenced by the El Nino phenomenon, usually bringing higher than average daytime temperatures. This can lead to extreme weather events such as wildfires, tropical cyclones, and prolonged droughts.
The Bureau of Meteorology’s latest update forecasts extreme heatwave conditions in Western Australia, with temperatures in the town of Marble Bar expected to reach 49°C (120.2°F) on Saturday. The Queensland outback towns of Longreach and Julia Creek are also expected to hit 47°C.
Nighttime temperatures in many parts of the Northern Territory are forecasted to remain in the low 30s for several days. This intense heatwave has prompted authorities to raise bushfire risks and implement total fire bans in several regions.
On the other hand, severe thunderstorms are forecasted to hit the eastern parts of the country, redeveloping from Friday across eastern Queensland and northeast New South Wales, continuing into the new year. Sarah Scully, a forecaster at the Bureau of Meteorology, stated that isolated gusty thunderstorms are possible over western South Australia.
The article also mentions that the storms in the east could become severe on Friday afternoon, with the potential for large hail, wind gusts of more than 90 kmh (56 mph), and heavy rain. However, the storms are expected to ease by New Year’s Eve and not impact Sydney’s iconic fireworks display, as the Bureau of Meteorology predicted cloudy conditions on Sunday with a very slight chance of rain.
(Reporting by Renju Jose in Sydney; Editing by Michael Perry)
