Rob Sharpe, 29 Dec 2014, 2:04 AM UTC
Scorching heat heading for Adelaide and Melbourne in the new year
Melbourne is about to cool off this afternoon before 40-degree heat spreads across southern Australia late in the week.
Melbourne reached a warm peak of 26 degrees late this morning. However a cold front is due to arrive around 1pm, bringing a series of showers and the chance of a thunderstorm, extending the lunch break at the MCG for about an hour or two. The temperature will plummet below 20 degrees in a matter of minutes, with wind chill making it feel closer to 12 or 13 degrees. The cold temperatures will make it hard to imagine the heat coming late this week.
A very hot airmass is currently sitting over Western Australia and will slowly progress across the country with the help of a low pressure trough.
On Thursday the heat will move over western parts of South Australia, with Adelaide reaching 33 degrees.
On Friday the heat will spread across the majority of SA and VIC, with Adelaide likely to reach 42 degrees and Melbourne a chance to reach the mid-to-high 30's. Inland parts of Victoria should head into the low 40's.
Friday night will be very uncomfortable across the south of the nation, with the mercury staying above 30 degrees for most of the night in parts of SA and VIC, including Adelaide which should only drop as low as 29 degrees in the dry and gusty northerlies.
On Saturday the heat will peak over VIC and eastern SA with temperatures well into the 40's over inland areas. Melbourne has a chance to reach 40 degrees on that day. The cool change will drop temperatures rapidly on Saturday, bringing much needed relief.
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