Seemorerocks: A heatwave for Australia

Australia set to bake

http://higginsstormchasing.com/australia-set-to-bake/

A week long heatwave is forecast to bake parts of Australia to near record-breaking levels. As this heatwave progresses, those under its affects will experience an increased fire danger due to excessively/abnormally high temperatures coupled with very dry conditions. As the system nears its end and the front/trough pushes through there is also an even higher elevation of fire risk due to strong gusts fanning flames, while a dust storm risk increases also.

Friday (Oct. 2nd): A trough is forecast to develop along the West Coast of Western Australia and this will continue to draw in hot air to the region, however as it shifts towards the East and combines with a cold front which is unlikely to impact the State, that hot air is forecast to extend South of the State and unfortunately for those, increase in intensity. Temperatures are likely going to reach at least 35ºc for nearly the entire State except for the South-West Corner (remembering 35ºc is around 8-10ºc above average for this time of year). Adelaide and Melbourne are forecast to start feeling the pinch on Saturday, with temperatures reaching the low 30’s for both centres.

Saturday (Oct. 3rd): The high pressure system is forecast to move over South-East Queensland, which will mean those hot winds are now being directed into the Eastern and in particular the South-East Corner of Western Australia due to the anti-clockwise rotation of a high. A trough over the Pilbara and Kimberley will also continue to draw in hot dry air into the region. Temperatures on Saturday could reach as high as the mid 40’s for some regions (43/44ºc) with Forrest in Western Australia, a likely candidate for this. Heat will also begin to build across parts of South Australia where 35ºc should be experienced over much of the Western half of the State. Adelaide and Melbourne will be feeling it as temperatures reach into the low to mid 30’s.

Sunday (Oct. 4th): The high stalls and the trough extends. Heat continues to build over South Australia and even begins extending into South-West Queensland, Western New South Wales, North-West Victoria where 35-38ºc is expected. All of Western Australia except for the South-West Corner is again under heat stress as temperatures are likely going to reach the low 40’s AGAIN! Adelaide (35ºc) and Melbourne will both be feeling it also with temperatures in the low to mid 30’s.

Monday (Oct. 5th): The high continues to linger around Eastern New South Wales, however there is relief insight for Western Australia as another cold front links with the stalled trough and begins to shift it towards the East which means the Gascoyne and much of South is left off (except for the South-East Corner). Temperatures are expected to build over Western New South Wales, South-West Queensland, South Australia and North-West Victoria where temperatures nearing 40ºc cant be ruled out.

Tuesday (Oct. 6th): The high begins to shift East towards New Zealand, while the frontal and trough systems quickly move Eastwards also. This will remove the heat out of Western South Australia and much of Western Australia. However, Victoria (including Melbourne) Western New South Wales and Southern Queensland are still all expected to be feeling it.

Wednesday (Oct. 7th): The entire system weakens considerably as the high shifts out of Australia’s reach. Some temperatures exceeding 35ºc across Southern Queensland – but compared to days before, this is much more tame day.

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