Weather forecasters brace for 50 degree heatwave in parts of WA

Temperatures could soar to 50 degrees this week in remote parts of Australia as a severe heatwave washes over the continent.

Weatherzone said extreme heat was forecast for the Pilbara and Kimberley districts in WA, with possible readings of 50C on Friday.

The forecaster said a combination of “stagnant or slow-moving weather systems” was allowing heat to built up.

“To the southwest of WA lies a strong high pressure system, which has been directing furnace-like air from Australia’s interior towards the WA coast for several days and will continue to do so,” Weatherzone stated this week.

“In waters off northwest WA, Tropical Cyclone Taliah is also playing a part by warming nearby areas of the atmosphere as it releases latent heat energy.”

It comes as the country expereiences a ynamic mix of severe weather this week, with flooding rain in northern Australia, bushfires in southern Australia, heatwaves baking part of every state and territory, severe thunderstorms in several states, and two severe tropical cyclones spinning over Australian waters.

According to Weatherzone an intense heat that has been building over the Australian continent and its surrounding oceans over the poast two months has created an ideal environment for volatile weather.

A very hot air mass is sloshing around the country, causing temperatures to reach the mid-to-high 40s over several states.

“Overnight minimum temperatures in the high teens to low twenties over southern parts, increasing to mid to high twenties in the north.

“Severe heatwave conditions over western and southern parts of SA will contract to northwest SA and gradually ease over the coming days.

“Locations likely to be impacted include Bordertown, Clare, Jamestown, Narracoorte, Renmark and the Barossa Valley.”

The hot air over southern Australia is also helping produce thunderstorms. Storms are likely to develop over parts of Vic, Tas and southern NSW on Tuesday before focusing on NSW, the ACT and northeast Vic on Wednesday.

Severe thunderstorms are likely on both days.

Australia has recorded seven instances of 50C heat, Weatherzone said.

In descending order, the records are:

• 50.7C Onslow Airport in WA, January 2022
• 50.7C Oodnadatta Airport in South Australia, January 1960
• 50.5C Roebourne Aero in WA, January 2022
• 50.5C Mardie in WA, January 2022
• 50.5C Mardie in WA, February 1998
• 50.3C Oodnadatta Airport in South Australia, January 1960
• 50.1C Wilcannia Post Office in NSW, January 1939