Issued: 17 March 2023
Hot weather will impact much of southern Australia this weekend as heat extends from Western Australia across to much of southern and southeast Australia.
A cold front is moving over southern Western Australia today and will move into South Australia and western Victoria on Saturday and into New South Wales from Sunday afternoon. This cold front will bring a cool change but little, if any, rain.
The front is dragging down hot, dry and windy conditions which is causing temperatures to increase.
Maximum temperatures will be 9 to 15 degrees above average in eastern Western Australia and western South Australia today, eastern South Australia, Victoria and western New South Wales on Saturday.
On Sunday, much of New South Wales will experience high temperatures but these temperatures are expected to ease on Monday.
Minimum temperatures are also expected to be 2 to 10 degrees above average.
On Saturday, fire dangers will be high across southern Australia, reaching extreme in parts of eastern South Australia and western and central Victoria on Saturday.
Low-intensity heatwave conditions are likely across parts of Western Australia, South Australia and New South Wales.
Some locations in New South Wales on Sunday could exceed their maximum temperature record for the month of March, especially on and west of the ranges.
Melbourne is forecast to reach 37 degrees on Saturday, Sydney is forecast to reach 32 degrees on Sunday and western Sydney is forecast to reach 39 degrees on Sunday.
The hot, dry and windy weather is of concern to areas of inland New South Wales and Victoria, with many fires ongoing.
Due to this, fires could become uncontrollable this weekend.
Extreme fire dangers are forecast Saturday for eastern parts of South Australia and western and central Victoria.
Relief from the hot weather will arrive for the east coast on Monday, however, warm conditions will continue throughout inland and western areas of the country into the middle of next week.
Know your weather, know your risk. Residents and communities should stay up to date with the latest forecasts and warnings via our website and BOM Weather app and follow the advice of emergency services.
