As the east coast of Australia prepares for potential severe storms, the country’s heatwave is expected to last into next week

It is anticipated that the heatwave that is scorching northern Australia with highs of 43°C will last until the next week, while the southern regions of the nation will see warm temperatures and potentially severe storms. Much of inland Queensland was under a severe heatwave warning, with Sunday highs of 41°C in Mount Isa and 43°C in Longreach, Boulia, and Richmond.

While Derby in Western Australia was predicted to reach 38°C and Marble Bar, which is often one of the hottest locations in the nation, to reach 43°C, Katherine and Timber Creek in the Northern Territory were predicted to reach 42°C. While Melbourne’s temperature reached 20 degrees Celsius on Sunday, Sydney’s heat was milder, with highs of 26 degrees predicted for the city. However, starting Monday, there is a greater risk of thunderstorms along the east coast.

With a high probability of thunderstorms forming and an 80% likelihood of rain, Sydney is predicted to reach a maximum temperature of 23°C on Monday and 24°C on Tuesday. With a 60% probability of rain, Melbourne’s temperatures are predicted to reach 24°C on Monday and 25°C on Tuesday before dropping back to 18°C on Thursday. With a long-range forecast of 30°C for next Saturday, things will get hotter heading into the weekend.

BoM senior meteorologist Miriam Bradbury stated that although hot conditions were decreasing in south-east Queensland, they would “linger” until next week in the country’s north.

“Storms are going to be the story for other parts of the country,” Bradbury said. “Over the next couple of days they’re focused on south-east Queensland and northern New South Wales, which are a bit of a hotspot for storms.

“This will potentially bringing heavy rain that could lead to flash flooding, large hail or damaging winds – these make the difference between a normal storm and a severe storm.”

The majority of the nation will be affected, including Victoria, the outback of South Australia, and portions of Western Australia. Perth appears to be steady, while Hobart is the only east coast city that is not currently predicted to experience lightning.

“It’s not that the storms will be widespread, but pretty much anywhere could see a lightning strike through the eastern parts of the country,” Bradbury said.

“These storms will change from one day to the next.”