Temperatures are set to soar across southeast Australia for the next few days, with forecasters warning of a record-breaking autumn heatwave.

March 11, 2024

Southeastern Australia is set to sizzle for another day as a record-breaking autumn heatwave rolls on.

Melbourne is expected to bake on Monday, with the Bureau of Meteorology forecasting a top of 37C after a low of 24C.

Hot weather is predicted across most of Victoria, with temperatures in the mid to high 30s likely.

Adelaide is also forecast to swelter, with the state’s capital tipped to peak at 38C after an uncomfortable overnight minimum of 27C.

Hot conditions in the high 30s and low 40s are forecast for most regional areas in South Australia.

The bureau warns the heatwave conditions will persist in parts of SA, Victoria, NSW and Tasmania until Wednesday.

Authorities have issued a total fire ban for Monday for much of SA and in Victoria’s southwest.

The temperature peaked at 36.9C in Melbourne late on Sunday, with Avalon recording 40C and Geelong 39.6C.

It followed a record-breaking Saturday night in the Victorian capital, with the mercury hovering about 30C until Sunday morning, when it dropped to 27.3C – toppling the previous March record-high minimum temperature of 26.5C in 2013.

Hobart was also stifling on Saturday night, with a minimum temperature of 24C, well above the previous March record of 21.1C.

In SA, Adelaide recorded a top of 38.8C on Sunday as the mercury soared into the high 30s and 40s across most of the state.

Extreme conditions on Saturday forced event organisers to cancel some outdoor festivals and parades.

Melbourne’s famous Moomba Parade was cancelled on Saturday due safety concerns for performers and spectators.

Patrons at the Pitch Music and Arts Festival in southwest Victoria were told to leave by Saturday morning as those yet to arrive were warned to stay away.

One of the stages at Adelaide’s WOMAD was closed on Sunday due to the heat, while a handful of other events were postponed until late at night or cancelled.