Forecasters have warned of dangerous weather conditions sweeping across southeastern Australia this weekend, characterized by extreme heat, bushfires, and the unusual potential for hail and snow. The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) described the situation as “very, very dangerous,” with significant fire risks looming as temperatures soar across various regions.
A significant cold front is poised to sweep through South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales, and Tasmania, bringing with it intense heat before temperatures fall sharply. BOM meteorologist Miriam Bradbury emphasized the severity of the upcoming shift, stating, “A shift in weather is on the way for southeastern Australia this weekend, as we move from hot, dry weather and elevated fire dangers to cool, showery weather as the cold front moves through.”
This weekend is expected to bring scorching temperatures, with Adelaide predicted to hit 39°C on Saturday, March 15, 2025. Meanwhile, Port Augusta and Murray Bridge are forecasted to peak even higher at 42°C, before experiencing significant drops on the following Sunday. Similarly, major cities like Melbourne and Sydney are facing their own heating spells, with forecasts of 34°C and 32°C, followed by steep temperature declines.
The combination of high temperatures and gusty winds is leading to high to extreme fire danger alerts across the regions. Specifically, “We’ve got high fire dangers throughout Victoria and south-east NSW with extreme fire dangers for much of southern South Australia,” Bradbury warned. She emphasized the potential for severe fire weather conditions, explaining, “Those extreme fire dangers will trigger fire weather warnings on Saturday, and will promote very, very dangerous conditions for any fires.”
Widespread severe weather warnings also warn of heavy rainfall expected to accompany the cold front. Rain and storms are forecast to develop more extensively across northern Australia, starting this weekend and continuing through the week. Adelaide, for example, could see its temperatures drop dramatically to 26°C on Sunday, with up to 9mm of rain expected. Further drops forecast for Monday see temperatures plunging down to just 14°C.
Similarly, Melbourne will experience the heat spiking to 34°C before dropping to 26°C and potentially seeing storms bringing 20mm of rainfall. Sydney, witnessing temperatures ramp up to 37°C on Sunday, is also scheduled for significant cooling, with the possibility of dropping to 23°C by Monday.
Across Tasmania, this weekend correlates with drastic weather shifts, as Hobart is expected to cool from 26°C on Saturday to 23°C on Sunday. Bradbury confirmed the potential for hail associated with the climate's transformation, stating, “It’ll be so cool, we may see small hail across parts of Tasmania late on Sunday and going to Monday – as well as possible snow flurries about the Tasmanian peaks.”
Authorities across multiple regions are urging residents to stay vigilant as conditions deteriorate rapidly. Fire warnings continue for South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales, and are expected to persist, particularly through Monday for New South Wales and Tasmania. Residents residing within fire-prone areas have been advised to prepare for potential evacuations as the situation escalates.
The BOM is consistently monitoring the weather situation and plans to issue updates as conditions evolve. The overall weekend is characterized not just by oppressive heat but also by the unique interplay of anticipated cold fronts and meteorological phenomena leading to life-threatening fire risks and severe weather conditions.
Brisbane will maintain relatively mild conditions throughout the weekend with temperatures hovering around 30°C and overnight lows around 19°C. Meanwhile, Townsville expects showers on Saturday, followed by possible storms leading to heavier rainfall on Sunday. Darwin is likely to experience thunderstorms with temperatures peaking at around 33°C.
Perth will also enjoy stable weather, transitioning from mid-20s to over 30°C as the weekend wraps up, bringing overnight lows around 17°C. It’s imperative for Australian residents to heed warnings and stay informed of the BOM’s updates to navigate the forthcoming weather challenges safely.