An extremely hot air mass will cause temperatures to rise across much of Australia on Wednesday, with an extreme fire risk expected in south-west Queensland and north-west Victoria.

A broad trough of low pressure extending across Australia is allowing a cache of late spring warmth to extend across parts of several states and territories this week, extending from the country’s eastern interior to in northern Washington State.

This weather phenomenon is causing a multi-day heatwave to hit parts of Queensland, New South Wales, the NT and WA this week. In Birdsville in Queensland, the mercury rose to 45.2°C on Tuesday afternoon and only fell to 31.7°C on Wednesday morning. As of 9.40am on Wednesday, temperatures were already above 40C in parts of south-west Queensland.

Image: Temperature observations in Birdsville, Qld for the 24 hours ending at 9:20 a.m. AEST on Wednesday 6 November 2024.

Temperatures are expected to reach the mid-40s on Wednesday in parts of five states and territories, including NSW, Qld, SA, WA and NT.

Image: Forecast for maximum temperatures on Wednesday, November 6, 2024.

Wednesday’s hot weather will help raise fire danger ratings in parts of the country, with extreme fire danger ratings forecast in Qld’s Channel Country and the Mallee in Vic. Total fire bans have been issued in both regions, marking the first total fire ban of the season in Vic.

Firefighters and emergency services in several states are closely monitoring a number of fires that were already burning as the sun rose Wednesday. This includes a fire near Dirranbandi in south-west Queensland, where residents evacuated their homes in response to the fire heading towards the town.

Although the heat will not be as intense across Australia on Thursday, extreme fire danger levels are expected to develop in the North West Fire Weather District of New South Wales.

Check state and territory fire authority websites for the latest fire warnings and fire danger ratings.