A severe heat wave occurred in the south-east of Australia. In some places, the temperature reaches 40 degrees, which is several degrees higher than usual in January. Hot, dry conditions are causing bushfires.
On Saturday, the residents of south-eastern Australia were relaxing on the beaches. Temperatures in Victoria were forecast to be 14 degrees warmer than the average early January temperature. In the center of the region, the city of Melbourne, the temperature was expected to rise to 37 degrees, and in its northern regions to 40 degrees.
Very late monsoons
According to ABC News, Australia’s first heat wave this year will be accompanied by extremely dry weather. Monsoons usually hit the northern regions of the continent at the beginning of January, but this year they have not yet appeared. This is the last onset of the monsoon season in at least 25 years.
Hot and dry weather increases the risk of bushfires. A total fire ban has been imposed in parts of Victoria and South Australia. The spread of the flames can be caused by strong and gusty winds, which will calm down only on Sunday evening.
According to meteorologists, the heat wave will decrease at the beginning of next week. It will continue to be hot around Sydney on Tuesday, with temperatures expected to drop to 15C within 24 hours as a cold air mass approaches.
Main photo credit: PAP/EPA/JAMES ROSS
