Australia has experienced a widespread and prolonged heatwave across multiple states and territories, leading to extreme fire danger conditions and active bushfires. Temperatures have reached record highs in several locations, prompting emergency warnings, event cancellations, and significant public safety advisories. The heatwave, described as comparable in scale to the 2009 and 2019-20 Black Summer events, affected over half the country, particularly the southern and southeastern regions.
Temperature Forecasts and Records
The heatwave caused unusually high temperatures from mid-January into early February. A band of severe to extreme heat moved from west to east across the country.
Peak Temperatures
- Temperatures peaked around 50°C in northern South Australia and western New South Wales.
- Marree recorded 49.8°C, and Andamooka 50°C, setting new records.
- Ceduna surpassed 49°C, while Port Augusta, Port Pirie, and Tarcoola exceeded 48°C.
Regional Highs
- Victoria: Melbourne reached 40.9°C on one Wednesday, its highest temperature in six years. Rural towns Hopetoun and Walpeup recorded preliminary highs of 48.9°C. Northwestern Victoria and eastern South Australia saw highs of 46°C or 47°C, with some areas in western Victoria expecting seven consecutive days over 40°C. Mildura was forecast to reach 48°C.
- South Australia: Adelaide experienced multiple days in the low 40s°C, with a forecast of 41°C on both Tuesday and Friday during the event. On one Sunday, the state recorded temperatures up to 48.5°C.
- New South Wales: Western and south-western regions experienced multiple days of high temperatures. Sydney recorded temperatures up to 42°C on a Saturday. Ivanhoe was predicted to reach 49°C, Wilcannia 48°C, and Cobar 47°C.
- Western Australia: Coastal towns reported temperatures up to 49°C.
- Queensland: Thargomindah was predicted to reach 46°C.
A cool change began entering South Australia on a Friday, subsequently shifting high temperatures into New South Wales. Widespread rain and storms from a monsoon low in tropical north Australia brought cooler air to parts of Victoria and South Australia over a weekend, extending across the rest of the south-east on Sunday, potentially lowering temperatures by up to 15°C.
Fire Danger and Emergency Response
Rising temperatures led to extreme fire danger levels across South Australia, Victoria, and inland New South Wales, prompting widespread total fire bans.
Authorities identified a "catastrophic" fire risk in several Victorian regions, the highest classification in Australia's four-level fire danger rating system.
Warnings and Bans
- Total fire bans were implemented across Victoria, with all regions assigned either a "catastrophic" or "extreme" fire danger rating.
- The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) also declared a total fire ban, its first in six years.
- Fire Weather Warnings and Extreme Fire Danger ratings were active for numerous districts in South Australia, including the Mount Lofty Ranges, Yorke Peninsula, Kangaroo Island, and Riverland.
Official Advisories
- Senior meteorologists noted that any bushfires ignited under these conditions could spread rapidly and be difficult to control.
- Victoria's Emergency Management Commissioner, Tim Wiebusch, issued an extreme heat advisory for the entire state, urging residents to prepare.
- In areas with catastrophic fire danger forecasts, residents were advised to implement bushfire survival plans and consider early departure to locations with lower fire risk.
Active Fires
- Victoria: Firefighters managed at least six major fires, with some designated at "emergency level."
- A bushfire near Longwood, in central Victoria, consumed approximately 36,000 hectares, destroying at least 20 homes, a school, properties, shearing sheds, and livestock in Ruffy. The Longwood fire remained active and was observed spreading in multiple directions.
- An ongoing fire in the Otways region escalated after jumping containment lines at Carlisle River due to wind and extreme heat, leading to an emergency warning for Gellibrand.
- An air quality warning was issued for Geelong and Melbourne due to smoke.
- The Walwa bushfire, active for over two weeks, continued to threaten areas east of Albury.
- Other fires were reported in the Alpine National Park and the Larralea area.
Unaccounted Individuals
Three individuals—two adults and one child—were reported as unaccounted for in the Longwood area of Victoria. Authorities had advised them to seek shelter, but their home was subsequently destroyed, and their status remained unknown.
Broader Impacts and Public Safety
The prolonged heatwave impacted infrastructure, public health, and scheduled events.
Infrastructure
- High temperatures increased demand on the electricity grid, potentially leading to record consumption peaks and an increased risk of unplanned outages.
Public Health
- Health officials issued warnings regarding substantial health risks associated with the prolonged heat, particularly for the elderly, children, and individuals with pre-existing health conditions. Risks included heat exhaustion, heat stroke, heart attacks, and strokes.
- Ambulance Victoria reported cases of children left in hot vehicles.
- Public advisories included staying cool, maintaining hydration, remaining indoors, and monitoring vulnerable populations.
Event Cancellations
- Due to extreme heat forecasts, some Australia Day celebrations, including a parade and a light show in Adelaide, were cancelled.
Australian Open
- The Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne implemented extreme heat protocols, closing retractable roofs over main arenas and postponing matches on uncovered outer courts.
- Player adaptations included using ice packs and portable fans.
- Crowd attendance declined significantly during peak heat days.
School Closures
- In northern Victoria, 450 schools and childcare centers were closed due to the catastrophic fire danger level.
Other Weather Events
- Tropical Cyclone Luana moved inland across Western Australia, causing damage before weakening.
- Separately, rainfall and storms persisted in northern Queensland, with several flood warnings active for the Flinders and Western rivers.
Climate Context
This heatwave follows a period of elevated temperatures in Australia, with 2024 recorded as the country's second-warmest year and 2025 as the fourth-warmest, with temperatures 1.3°C above the 1961–1990 average. Australia's national annual average temperature is approximately 1.5°C higher than in 1910.
The Bureau of Meteorology defines a heatwave as three consecutive days of above-average temperatures. The frequency and severity of extreme weather events, including heatwaves and bushfires, have reportedly increased, consistent with observed climate trends. Hotter-than-average days and nights are projected to continue for much of Australia until April.