Australia Day forecasts for the capital cities
Australia Day falls this coming Monday, January 26, so here’s our summary of the likely weather conditions in the capital cities.
ELDERS NEWS
Australia Day falls this coming Monday, January 26, so here’s our summary of the likely weather conditions in the capital cities.
An intense and prolonged heatwave will sweep across Australia from this weekend into next week, causing temperatures to potentially approach 50°C and fuelling catastrophic fire danger ratings in some areas.
A tropical low gaining strength to the north of Western Australia has a high chance of approaching the Kimberley coast as a tropical cyclone this weekend.
Two distinct 40-degree heat spikes are coming to Melbourne – one on Saturday and another next Tuesday – with the Australian Open tennis at Melbourne Park likely to be impacted.
Three tropical lows could form near northern Australia this week, with Western Australia facing a moderate risk of a tropical cyclone and heavy rain expected in the Kimberley and northern Queensland.
A large portion of southeastern Australia is set to see furnace-like conditions from Thursday or Friday across the Australia Day long weekend and into the new week, with inland areas experiencing the most extreme heat as temperatures soar as high as 47°C at some locations.
Shark Bay Airport in Western Australia has eclipsed its old January heat record by almost two degrees, with a reading of 49.
Australia’s ocean temperatures reached a record high in 2025, with sea surface temperatures warming close to 1°C above the long-term average.
Seas to the north and east of Australia are experiencing periods of increased activity this week, leading to disruptions to port, maritime and offshore operations.
The mercury in Perth will rise towards 40°C this Tuesday, while Western Australia’s Pilbara region and some adjacent areas will hit the high 40s, with the potential for a 50-degree day.
Transport, emergency, energy and port industries in eastern NSW and Sydney was impacted by significant flash flooding with intense and heavy rainfall this weekend.
An active Tasman is bringing large and unruly surf to southeastern NSW, with the Coral Sea awakening and sending waves into southeast Queensland in the coming week.
Intense and heavy rainfall on Saturday and early on Sunday has brought flash flooding to parts of the Greater Sydney Metropolitan region.
Heavy rain that fell over the NSW South Coast on Thursday and Friday has edged north overnight, with over 100mm falling in the 24 hours to 9am Saturday over the Moruya and Ulladulla regions, with 80mm over parts of the Illawarra.