National Weather Update: rain and storms in northern Australia, heat and fire danger in the west and south
11/01/2023
Issued: 4pm Wednesday 11 January 2023
Showers and thunderstorms continue across northern Australia, with heatwave conditions continuing for much of western and southern Australia over the next few days and into the weekend.
Rain and thunderstorms in the Northern Territory and Queensland are becoming widespread as remnant moisture from Ex-TC Ellie combines with surface troughs to produce moderate to heavy rainfalls.
Major Flooding continues along parts of the Fitzroy River in Western Australia, with significant community impacts ongoing upstream, including at Fitzroy Crossing.
Minor to Moderate Flood Warnings are also current in Queensland, the Northern Territory and Western Australia, in addition to a Flood Watch through western Queensland.
Lingering tropical moisture will continue to generate showers and thunderstorms over large areas of northern Australia in the coming days.
The focus of rainfall will be in northern and central Queensland, but showers and storms will also be a feature for the Northern Territory and Kimberley. Heavy localised falls may produce flash and riverine flooding.
While northern Australia is experiencing wet and stormy conditions much of southern Australia, from Western Australia to Tasmania, is experiencing very hot and dry weather this week, with the heat set to peak on the weekend in the south-east of the country.
In south-west Western Australia, dry lightning sparked a number of bushfires in recent days. Fires on the landscape, combined with high temperatures and gusty winds have created dangerous conditions in some areas.
The Fire Danger Rating remains High in Western Australia and will increase to Extreme over the weekend. High to Extreme fire dangers are also forecast for parts of South Australia, Victoria, Tasmania and inland New South Wales as temperatures rise.
Maximum temperatures are forecast to be 8 to 16 degrees above average by Saturday, reaching the low-to-mid 30s in Tasmania, and the high-30s to low 40s in Victoria, South Australia and inland New South Wales.
Low-to-severe intensity heatwave conditions will develop, with high overnight minimums providing little relief from the daytime heat.
Communities are advised to stay up to date with the latest forecast and warnings via the Bureau's website and BOM Weather app and follow the advice of emergency services.
ENDS
