Australia’s southeast is preparing for a drenching this week with some areas on alert for floods, while the mercury is set to soar above 40C in the country’s west.
Queensland’s southeast is set to be hit by large amounts of rain and thunderstorms beginning on Monday, with up to 30mm predicted.
The Sunshine Coast, Yeppoon and Gladstone will bear the brunt of the wet weather, while Brisbane will endure sunny skies and temperatures of 28C.
Queensland’s northwest faced damaging winds and heavy rainfall on Sunday, with the weather slowly moving towards the east coast.
The Bureau of Meteorology has issued hazardous surf warnings for the southeast coast on Monday and extending into NSW, encouraging surfers and fishers to remain vigilant.
Beaches along Byron Bay, Coffs Harbour and Macquarie could also be hit with “large and powerful waves” and “hazardous surf conditions”, the bureau said.
Minor flood warnings are in place for parts of northern NSW, including the Warrego River, while the north coast is bracing for wild surf conditions.
However, most of NSW will enjoy sunshine on Monday and throughout most of the week, with Sydney forecast for a party cloudy day with temperatures hitting 28C.
Meanwhile, people in the country’s west are set to sizzle once more, with temperatures rising above 40C in southwestern parts of Western Australia.
Weatherzone meteorologist Andrew Casper-Richardson said after a short-lived cold spell on Saturday, a developing heat trough was drawing a hot air mass from the interior of the country.
“Even coastal locations will feel the heat, with sea breezes being delayed most days if they develop at all,” he said.
Maximum temperatures are expected to peak in the high 30s and low 40s, seven to nine degrees above the monthly average.
“Along the coast of the Central West district in Geraldton, temperatures are set to pass 40 degrees for a least two days, most likely on Wednesday and Thursday,” Mr Casper-Richardson said.
The heat is not expected to be as intense as the previous heatwave in February where temperatures reached 44.7C.
Mrxjmtzyw Casper-Richardson said the heat was expected to filter down south, with the mercury tipped to soar to the high-30s in Perth each day from Tuesday.
Friday looks to be the hottest day for Perth with a forecast of 40 degrees – 9C above average and the third day to exceed 40C this month.
Melbourne and Adelaide will also be enjoying warm and sunny days from Monday, with a top of 32C forecast for both cities.
Australia’s capital is expected to remain warm and sunny, hitting highs of 29C.
The forecast in Darwin is a balmy 33C with storms predicted, while the coldest city in the country will naturally be Hobart with a top of just 20C.
