Heatwave to ease this weekend after final searing burst

The prolonged heatwave that has made large parts of southeastern Australia feel like a furnace is finally set to ease off this weekend.

Saturday will be the final day of widespread intense heat before cooler southerly winds push the hot air into western Queensland.

While Australia’s record temperature of 50.7°C (jointly held by Oodnadatta in SA and Onslow in WA) has not yet been broken, this event has been remarkable for its longevity, its geographical extent, and for the numerous local records that have fallen.

A record-breaking week of heat in review

On Monday, the coastal South Australian town of Ceduna hit a record 49.5°C. 

On Tuesday, Victoria sweated through its highest temperature on record with 48.9°C at two locations in the Mallee district, while some Melbourne suburbs topped 45°C.

Also that day, the SA Riverland town of Renmark emphatically broke its old heat record with a maximum of 49.6°C, while the New South Wales town of Pooncarie hit 49.7°C – the state’s hottest day since 1939.

On Wednesday, NSW again topped 49°C when it reached 49.2°C at the official BoM weather station at Borrona Downs cattle station in the state’s far northwest. The 49-degree threshold had only been passed three times previously in NSW before this week.

Meanwhile Wednesday also brought record heat to the snowfields, including the first measured 30-degree day in the Victorian ski village of Falls Creek.

On Thursday, the outback South Australian town of Marree hit the highest temperature of this entire event to date, with 49.8°C. That was the equal 7th-hottest temperature ever officially recorded in Australia and the 4th-hottest in SA.

This Friday, Marree could again nudge 50°C, as could Port Augusta, almost 400km south. Both towns are officially forecast to reach 49°C.

Forecast maximums across Australia for Friday, January 30, 2026, according to the ECMWF model
Image: Forecast maximums according to the ECMWF model for South Australia and adjacent areas for Friday, January 30, 2026, with purple and grey shading indicating the hottest temperatures. Source: Weatherzone.

By this Friday evening, it's highly likely that temperatures will have topped 49°C in the southeastern states for five consecutive days.

Boiling on the Murray

Spare a thought for locals in Mildura, the northwest Victorian city on the Murray River which is by far the largest population centre (approx. 35,000) to cop persistent extreme heat this week.

Mildura is expecting a high of 46°C this Friday. From last Saturday through to Thursday, its maximums have been: 42.6°C, 41.8°C, 45.1°C, 48.6°C (a record high), 40.4°C, and 43.2°C.

In data kept since 1946, Mildura has averaged 2.9 days of 40°C or higher in January, the hottest month. Today’s maximum will make it seven days straight. There was also a run of three days above 44°C earlier this month.

Perhaps more than many of the outback observations, Mildura's relentless run of extreme temperatures illustrates the longevity and intensity of this event.

READ MORE: What is a 'heat dome' and why is it super-heating Australia?

Meanwhile Melbourne’s maximum could drop into the high teens on Sunday, with a top of 19°C forecast for the day of the Australian Open men’s singles final. The women’s singles final on Saturday evening will also be played in relatively mild conditions.