Australian Weather

21 Jan 2026, 11:37PM UTC

Two distinct 40-degree heat spikes are coming to Melbourne – one on Saturday and another next Tuesday – with the Australian Open tennis at Melbourne Park likely to be impacted. This time last week, Melbourne was enjoying a run of relatively stable maximus in the mid-twenties. But because Melbourne’s summer weather is influenced by cool, maritime air south of Australia and dry scorching air from Australia’s interior, that pattern was never likely to last long. The temperature see-saw for which the city is famous is now set to swing into full effect. After a high of just 20°C this Thursday under cool southerly winds, Melbourne’s maximum is expected to soar up to 40°C on Saturday with gusty northerlies. Sunday will again be much milder with a top of 27°C, before the mercury again jumps up to around 41°C on Tuesday, and some models suggest it could get much hotter. Image: Predicted maximums in Victoria on Saturday, January 24, 2026, according to the ECMWF model. Source: Weatherzone. How does the Australian Open Extreme Heat Policy work? For fans and players at the Australian Open, the two heat spikes will likely result in activation of the Australian Open’s Extreme Heat Policy. The policy was developed in 2018 and implemented in 2019. It came after calls for a more robust policy first emerged in 2014, when Melbourne endured four consecutive days with blistering maximums of 42.0°C, 41.6°C, 43.4°C and 42.5°C from January 14-17 during the Australian Open. That was a remarkable run when you consider that Melbourne averages only one day of 40-degree heat in January, and the result was the Australian Open Extreme Heat Policy (EHP) which is based on a Heat Stress Scale (HSS). Image: Daily Forecast for Melbourne, Vic, on the Weatherzone app. Credit: Weatherzone. The HSS factors in more than just the temperature at Melbourne Park. In addition to air temperature, it also takes into account humidity, wind speed and radiant heat (the strength of the sun plus heat radiated from surrounding surfaces like the tennis court). Three of the courts at Melbourne Park – Rod Laver Arena, Margaret Court Arena and John Cain Arena – have retractable roofs. Under extreme or wet weather conditions, the tournament referee can decide to close the roof. Play can then continue after a pause while the roof is closed. On the outer courts with no roofs, longer breaks can be introduced during extreme heat and play can even be suspended. So while the Australian Open has no specific temperature threshold at which play is suspended, it’s likely that in coming days you’ll be hearing the phrases Extreme Heat Policy and Heat Stress Scale – and probably seeing roof closures mid-match on the show courts.

21 Jan 2026, 7:49AM UTC

Three tropical lows could form near northern Australia this week, with Western Australia facing a moderate risk of a tropical cyclone and heavy rain expected in the Kimberley and northern Queensland. The satellite images below show cloud forming along a broad region of low pressure to the north of Australia on Wednesday, January 21. Image: Visible satellite images captured on Wednesday, January 21, 2026. Source: Weatherzone. Forecast models indicate that three low pressure systems could develop near Australia in the coming days, one to the north of Western Australia and another one or two near northern Queensland. Western Australia faces cyclone threat and heavy rainfall The system starting to emerge off WA’s Kimberley coast is expected to develop into a tropical low later on Wednesday or on Thursday. This system should then move towards the south or southeast on Friday and Saturday, bringing it towards the Kimberley coast. The Bureau of Meteorology currently gives this system a moderate chance of becoming a tropical cyclone on Friday or Saturday before it reaches the coast. Regardless of whether this system forms into a tropical cyclone or remains a tropical low, it is likely to cause heavy rain, flooding and blustery winds over parts of the Kimberley from Friday into the weekend. Heavy rain could also extend over parts of the Northern Territory and WA’s Interior on the weekend and early next week as the system moves inland after making landfall. Coral Sea low to move away from northern Queensland Another tropical low is expected to form over the northern Coral Sea on Wednesday night or Thursday. At this stage, this system is likely to remain at least 500 km away from the state’s east coast later this week and should move further away from the state early next week. This system has a low risk of becoming a tropical cyclone. Cape York low could increase cyclone risk next week A separate low pressure system could form to the east of Cape York Peninsula this weekend. Some computer models show this low gaining strength as it moves out over the northern Coral Sea early next week, hinting at the potential for tropical cyclone development at some point next week. However, there is currently a high amount of uncertainty with this system as it is still several days away from forming. Image: Forecast accumulated rainfall over Australia during the coming week. Source: Weatherzone. Anyone living in northern Australia should keep up to date with the latest tropical cyclone forecasts and advisories over the coming week.