While Britain and the rest of Europe is being slammed by cold winds, snow and ice, things are very different in Australia as the country is pelted with several days of intense heat
10:58, 04 Jan 2026Updated 11:00, 04 Jan 2026
Australia is about to sweat in a heatwave several days long(Image: SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Weather conditions are set to cause chaos in Australia over the coming days. Some forecasters have said temperatures could rise up to 48C next week.
Australia is currently baking in intense heat as it enters the peak of its summer, whilst us Brits are left freezing ahead of a major ice blast coming our way. However, with the mercury hitting new highs in the Land Down Under, several states are on high alert for deaths.
Meteorologists have since warned Aussies to be aware of the heat and to stay indoors as many will be left sweltering as a result of the soaring temperatures. A full breakdown of what is to come next week will be revealed in the coming days.
Australia is set to bake in extreme heat that shows no sign of stopping(Image: SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
According to Aussie news outlet 9News, numerous Aussie states are set to bake in extreme heat by Monday (January 5). These temperatures will primarily be concentrated in the west of the country, but will eventually spread to all parts of the country.
Western Australia is set to be hit hardest, with inland areas of the state pelted with heat over the course of the weekend. The heat is then expected to move south, hitting southern and southeastern areas throughout the next week.
Temperatures are expected to hit at least the low 40s by Monday, according to weather forecasting service Weatherzone. Central and South Australia will then be hit from Tuesday (January 6), based on these predictions, with New South Wales and Victoria being slammed by Wednesday (January 7).
The worst heat will be confined to the interior but the coast will also be hit hard(Image: Weatherzone)
Forecasters have said that the worst of the heat will be concentrated inland.
However, cities such as Melbourne will still sizzle with the average temperature sitting between 30 and 39C from Wednesday to Friday. Meanwhile, Adelaide in Southern Australia will see average daytime temps of between 39 and 41C.
But while these temperatures are already sweltering, people living in the small city of Mildura in Victoria are set to have the worst urban temperatures of this heat bomb. Forecasters have predicted the mercury is set to reach an eye-watering 45C on Thursday (January 8).
Cities will also be pelted with the hot spell, as warnings are made to stay indoors(Image: Getty Images)
Speaking on the impending heatwave, Weatherzone meteorologist Ben Domensino warned people to be prepared for horrendous conditions. “It’s too early to know exactly how hot this air mass will be as it spreads across Australia next week,” she explained.
“However, numerous computer models suggest temperatures could reach around 45 to 46 degrees in parts of WA, SA, Vic and NSW, with some spots possibly reaching about 48 degrees,” he added. “The hottest weather over the coming week will occur inland, away from Australia’s state capital cities, but the major cities won’t completely escape the heat.”
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