Hello from the Bureau with a Severe Weather Update on the hot and windy conditions affecting south-eastern parts of the country, generating heatwave conditions and elevating fire danger.
A trough is stretching across the south-east, with hot, dry and gusty north-westerly winds ahead of it and much cooler south-westerly winds behind. Daytime temperatures across New South Wales are expected to run 8 to 12 degrees above average today, reaching the low 40s inland. These hot conditions combined with gusty winds are elevating fire danger, reaching extreme levels across the Mallee and southern New South Wales, where a Fire Weather Warning is in place. Fires that start in these areas may be difficult to control.
A Severe Heatwave Warning is current for eastern New South Wales from the Hunter to the South Coast, signalling unusually hot daytime and nighttime temperatures. Heatwave conditions are expected to continue into the weekend. There is also a thunderstorm risk today through central and eastern Victoria and along the New South Wales coast. Little to no rainfall is expected, raising the risk of dry lightning capable of igniting new fires.
Tomorrow, the trough will push north, easing winds in south-western New South Wales but strengthening them across northern, inland and eastern areas. A cold front approaching from the south will eventually bring relief, but for Saturday, temperatures remain well above average across much of New South Wales, peaking in the Sydney area at around 37°C, and into the low 40s in western suburbs. Cooler conditions remain confined to areas south of the trough in Victoria and south-eastern South Australia.
The highest temperatures combined with strong winds will drive peak fire danger across inland eastern and northern New South Wales, including Sydney and the Illawarra. A Fire Weather Warning will be issued for these regions. Thunderstorms are forecast across much of the south-east, with dry lightning most likely on and south of Newcastle. Damaging wind gusts above 90 km/h are possible in southern areas, while northern regions face a risk of heavy rainfall or damaging winds with storms near the northern ranges.
Relief from the heat will arrive as the cold front crosses the south-east on Saturday and pushes up the New South Wales coast on Sunday. It is expected to reach Sydney soon after sunrise Sunday, though Saturday night will remain very hot. Temperatures will drop once the southerly change moves through a couple of hours after sunrise. Showers and storms will intensify Sunday afternoon across north-east New South Wales and into Queensland, bringing a risk of severe thunderstorms with heavy rain, damaging winds or large hail. This marks the beginning of a more active thunderstorm period continuing into next week.
With heatwaves, elevated fire danger and severe thunderstorms all in play, now is the time to stay up to date with forecasts and warnings via the Bureau’s website, app and social media, and follow advice from local emergency services.
A trough is stretching across the south-east, with hot, dry and gusty north-westerly winds ahead of it and much cooler south-westerly winds behind. Daytime temperatures across New South Wales are expected to run 8 to 12 degrees above average today, reaching the low 40s inland. These hot conditions combined with gusty winds are elevating fire danger, reaching extreme levels across the Mallee and southern New South Wales, where a Fire Weather Warning is in place. Fires that start in these areas may be difficult to control.
A Severe Heatwave Warning is current for eastern New South Wales from the Hunter to the South Coast, signalling unusually hot daytime and nighttime temperatures. Heatwave conditions are expected to continue into the weekend. There is also a thunderstorm risk today through central and eastern Victoria and along the New South Wales coast. Little to no rainfall is expected, raising the risk of dry lightning capable of igniting new fires.
Tomorrow, the trough will push north, easing winds in south-western New South Wales but strengthening them across northern, inland and eastern areas. A cold front approaching from the south will eventually bring relief, but for Saturday, temperatures remain well above average across much of New South Wales, peaking in the Sydney area at around 37°C, and into the low 40s in western suburbs. Cooler conditions remain confined to areas south of the trough in Victoria and south-eastern South Australia.
The highest temperatures combined with strong winds will drive peak fire danger across inland eastern and northern New South Wales, including Sydney and the Illawarra. A Fire Weather Warning will be issued for these regions. Thunderstorms are forecast across much of the south-east, with dry lightning most likely on and south of Newcastle. Damaging wind gusts above 90 km/h are possible in southern areas, while northern regions face a risk of heavy rainfall or damaging winds with storms near the northern ranges.
Relief from the heat will arrive as the cold front crosses the south-east on Saturday and pushes up the New South Wales coast on Sunday. It is expected to reach Sydney soon after sunrise Sunday, though Saturday night will remain very hot. Temperatures will drop once the southerly change moves through a couple of hours after sunrise. Showers and storms will intensify Sunday afternoon across north-east New South Wales and into Queensland, bringing a risk of severe thunderstorms with heavy rain, damaging winds or large hail. This marks the beginning of a more active thunderstorm period continuing into next week.
With heatwaves, elevated fire danger and severe thunderstorms all in play, now is the time to stay up to date with forecasts and warnings via the Bureau’s website, app and social media, and follow advice from local emergency services.
Severe weather update: Elevated fire dangers, heatwave for NSW, Vic
05 December 2025
Video current: 1:30 pm AEDT Friday 05/12/25.