Hot and dry weather forecast for western and eastern Australia

13/02/2023

Issued: 2:30pm AEDT Monday, 13 February 2023

Heatwave conditions for Queensland, New South Wales and Western Australia

South-east Queensland and north-east New South Wales are seeing low intensity heatwave conditions today (Monday).

A Heatwave Warning is current for parts of Queensland with maximum temperatures 5 – 10C above average across eastern Queensland.

Numerous fires are ongoing across south-east Queensland with a Watch and Act near Tara and Miles.

Conditions are forecast to ease on Tuesday with cooler temperatures, and possible severe thunderstorms with large hail, damaging winds and heavy rainfall expected.

A Hazardous Surf Warning is current for south-east Queensland and north-east New South Wales as easterly swells from ex–Tropical Cyclone Gabrielle which has moved into New Zealand's area of responsibility.

Low to severe intensity heatwave conditions continue to build over Western Australia with temperatures up to 10C above average.

A Heatwave Warning and a Fire Weather Warning for Extreme Fire danger are both current for parts of inland Western Australia and will continue through the week.

Heat over Western Australia will start shifting east in coming days, peaking across southern and south-eastern Australia late this week and into the weekend with max temperatures 6 to 12C above average.

Tropical north Australia

A Tropical Low is developing near Groote Eylandt in the Gulf of Carpentaria. The low is forecast to develop further near the western Gulf of Carpentaria coast during today and Tuesday and remain slow moving. Depending on how long the system is over the Gulf of Carpentaria waters, it may develop into a tropical cyclone as early as Tuesday morning.

A Cyclone Watch has been issued for coastal communities from Cape Shield Northern Territory to the Queensland border, including Alyangula.

Impacts from the system are likely to be rain and thunderstorms and strong and gusty winds possibly damaging at times.

A Severe Weather Warning is current for Damaging Surf for parts of the eastern Top End.

The tropical low and a developing monsoon trough over the Top End and far north Queensland is bringing widespread showers, thunderstorms, and rain to much of the tropical north and will continue for much of the week.

Heavy rain may cause flash and riverine flooding with localised river, creek and steam rises.

Flood Watches are current for parts of northern Queensland and the Top End as forecast rainfall could lead to flash and riverine flooding.

Several Flood Warnings are current for Minor to Moderate Flooding for the Northern Territory and Queensland as flooding persists.

Communities should stay up to date with the latest forecasts and warnings via our website and BOM Weather app and follow the advice of emergency services.