Parts of Australia to hit 10 degrees above average this weekend
Millions of Australians are kicking off the school holidays with an absolute cracker of a weekend, as temperatures climb well above average across parts of the country.
The Bureau of Meteorology says a large high over eastern Australia is keeping skies clear across much of the nation on Saturday, bringing sunny conditions to the east, southeast and north.
The brunt of the spring heatwave will be felt in New South Wales and South Australia. George Chan
The brunt of the spring heatwave will be felt in New South Wales and South Australia, where temperatures in some areas are forecast to reach up to 10 degrees above average.
Sunny skies for the east coast
Sydney is heading for a windy top of 28 degrees today, while parts of the city’s west are expected to climb into the low 30s.
Temperatures will also run well above average along the NSW South Coast, while Canberra will peak at 24 degrees after a chilly start to the morning.
Brisbane is heading for 32 degrees under sunny skies, while inland Queensland will reach the low to mid-30s.
Some showers are tipped around the Cairns coast, although they should become less frequent during the day.
Warm conditions are expected to linger well into late September, according to longer-term forecasts. Bureau of Meteorology
The warm weather is also arriving in South Australia, where some areas around the Eyre Peninsula are expected to record their warmest day since autumn.
Adelaide is forecast to max out at 25 degrees, while temperatures further north will hit the high 20s and low 30s.
A cool change on the way
A cooler change will begin moving into South Australia later today and spread across the state on Sunday.
In Melbourne, it will be mostly sunny, with a high of 25 degrees today, with temperatures in northern Victoria reaching the high 20s.
Showers out west, wind down south
Tasmania will remain windy, with damaging gusts possible in elevated areas.
The Bureau of Meteorology says a large high over eastern Australia is keeping skies clear across much of the nation on Saturday. nna\ebennett
Showers in the west are expected to clear, allowing some sunshine to break through during the afternoon. Hobart will reach 19 degrees.
Western Australia will see some of the country’s wetter weather, with showers and thunderstorms possible in the south this morning before conditions improve.
Perth is forecast to reach 20 degrees after a couple of morning showers.
Darwin is heading for a sunny 34 degrees, while temperatures across the Kimberley will reach the mid to high 30s.
Heat set to linger into Sunday
The warm spell will continue for much of the country on Sunday, with Melbourne and Hobart expected to touch the high 20s.
Sydney, Canberra and Brisbane are also in for another warm day, while Adelaide will be cooler following the arrival of south-westerly winds.
Perth is forecast to reach 22 degrees with a couple of coastal showers, while northern Australia will remain very warm and largely dry.
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