'Intense burst of heat' to hit Victoria, with temperatures up to 45 degrees expected
People living in central and southeastern parts of the country have been warned to brace for intense heat this weekend.
Victorians, in particular, will feel the heat, with temperatures expected to hit up to 45 in some areas – the first time in four years.
The extreme temperatures will bring severe heatwave conditions to both Victoria and South Australia.
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Victoria's first 45°C in four years could happen on Monday. Weatherzone
Severe heatwave conditions are currently peaking over southwestern Western Australia, including the Perth Metropolitan Area, and are expected to gradually move eastward later in the week, reaching South Australia and Victoria by the weekend.
"This weekend will see temperatures approaching five to 10 degrees above average throughout much of South Australia, Victoria, Tasmania and New South Wales," Bureau of Meteorology senior meteorologist Miriam Bradbury said.
"Monday will be the hottest day with temperatures up to 16 degrees above average."
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Forecast wind and temperature at 5pm AEDT on Monday, December 16. Weatherzone
Adelaide will be the first to hit 40 degrees on Sunday, followed by Melbourne on Monday.
If Melbourne reaches 40 degrees, it will mark the warmest December day since 2019.
"Other parts of Victoria and New South Wales could be in the low to mid-40s, inland NSW could even reach the high 40s on Monday," Bradbury said.
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"Along with the heat, windy conditions and a lack of rain are likely to lead to a spike in fire danger for much of the southeast."
Victoria will see a cool change on Monday night and Tuesday morning.
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