Heatwaves, thunderstorms and fire danger flagged across Australia this weekend

Australians across the country are being warned to brace for a mixed bag of weather conditions this weekend as thunderstorms, heatwaves and elevated fire conditions are expected.

Following a hot start to spring, heatwaves are forecast over parts of Qld, the NT and northern WA this weekend, and temperatures in the low forties are expected in some areas, according to Weather zone.

A heatwave warning is in place for much of northern and western Queensland from Bundaberg northwards, the Bureau of Meteorology said.

Extreme heatwave conditions over parts of Qld, the NT and northern WA are also contributing to ongoing fire danger, as fire services continue to battle several already ongoing fires across the country.

Hot, dry and windy conditions will maintain high fire danger ratings across large areas of northern and eastern Australia in the coming days.

Thunderstorms are also expected to develop over the WA interior and western areas of SA on Friday.

They are expected to spread further east into SA on Saturday, before hitting the country’s east coast on Sunday.

“There is a risk of severe storms from the air Peninsula westwards … that means those storms could pack an extra punch, damaging winds, large hail and heavy rainfall are all possible, and we might not see that level of severity in Adelaide, but certainly could see some moderate rain and some active weather,” BOM Senior Meteorologist Angus Hines said on Friday afternoon.

Thunderstorms could become severe over parts of WA, the NT and SA on Friday and Saturday, bringing the risk of heavy rainfall quickly, as well as damaging wind gusts, Weather Zone said.

The severe thunderstorm risk will be lower on Sunday as the storms shift east, although heavy rain remains a risk for parts of Vic, NSW and Qld.

Sydney

Sydneysiders should expect a mostly sunny day on Saturday with a high of 25C and a low of 17C.

On Sunday, Sydney will see another sunny day with a high of 27C and a low of 19C.

Melbourne

Melbourne should expect a couple of showers on Saturday with a high of 19C and a low of 14C.

On Sunday, Melbourne will see another rainy day with a high of 20C and a low of 12C.

Adelaide

On Saturday, Adelaide should expect a couple of showers on with a high of 22C and a low of 16C.

On Sunday, Adelaide will see a partly sunny day with a high of 21C and a low of 12C.

Brisbane

Brisbane should expect a humid day on Saturday with a high of 30C and a low of 21C.

On Sunday, Brisbane will have a chance of a thunderstorm or two and a high of 33C and a low of 22C.

Perth

Perth residents should expect a sunny day on Saturday with a high of 22C and a low of 11C.

On Sunday, Perth will see a partly sunny day with a high of 21C and a low of 11C.

Canberra

Residents in the country’s capital city should expect a cloudy day on Saturday with a high of 22C and a low of 10C.

On Sunday, Canberra will see a couple of thunderstorms with a high of 17C and a low of 10C.

Hobart

Hobart should expect a sunny day on Saturday with a high of 16C and a low of 7C.

On Sunday, Hobart will see a cloudy day with a high of 15C and a low of 5C.

Darwin

Darwin should expect a sunny day on Saturday with a high of 34C and a low of 26C.

On Sunday, Darwin will see a cloudy day with a high of 34C and a low of 26C.