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 large pool of hot air that has been building over Western Australia this week will spill across the country’s southern and southeastern states from this weekend. A stagnant weather pattern will then allow this heat to dig in and intensify over Australia’s southeastern inland next week, which will cause a severe to extreme heatwave and likely challenging January maximum temperature records in several states.

Temperatures could reach the high forties in parts of South Australia from Saturday and in Victoria and New South Wales from Monday or Tuesday. This intense heat could linger until late next week and should also spread into parts of Queensland and the Northern Territory.

Current forecasts show temperatures reaching as high as 48°C in SA and NSW and 47°C in Vic and Qld over the coming week. However, some computer models suggest temperatures could get near 50°C parts of inland SA, western NSW or southern Qld next week.

Image: Forecast maximum temperatures on Thursday, January 29, 2026, according to the ECMWF-HRES model.

The heat will also contribute to elevated fire danger ratings. Extreme fire danger ratings are likely in parts of southern SA on Friday and over a broader area of SA and western Vic on Saturday. SA’s Yorke Peninsula could even see catastrophic fire danger on Saturday as the heat combines with strong northwesterly winds.

Capital cities feeling the heat

While the highest temperatures from this heatwave will occur inland, Australia's southeastern capital cities will not be immune to the heat.

Adelaide is likely to exceed 40°C on Saturday and Monday, possibly hitting 42 to 43°C on Monday afternoon.

Melbourne should also see two days close to or 40°C, one on Saturday and again on Tuesday, with Tuesday currently likely to be the hottest day of the heatwave.

Canberra could reach the mid-to-high 30s every day between Saturday this week and Saturday next week, possibly reaching around 42°C on Wednesday, January 28.

Sydney’s CBD and eastern suburbs will have a few days in the low 30s this weekend and next week, while temperatures could nudge 40°C in the city’s western suburbs on Sunday.

Hobart is predicted to see maximums in the high 20s on Saturday and may reach around 32°C on Tuesday next week.

How to stay safe in a heatwave

Heatwaves are Australia’s deadliest natural disaster, and they can cause problems for anyone who doesn’t take precautions to keep cool, even people who are fit and healthy.

The Australian Red Cross has the following advice for staying safe during a heatwave:

Stay inside and keep out of the heat as much as possible. Plan to do most of your activities early or late in the day to avoid being outside during the hottest hours.

Avoid sport and heavy exercise during peak hours of the day.

Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated, even if you don’t feel thirsty.

Keep your home cool by using external shade cloths or blinds to shield the inside of the house from direct sunlight.

Where possible use a combination of air conditioning and fans to keep certain rooms in the house cool. Electric fans can be an effective method of cooling if air conditioning is not available.

If not using air conditioning, open windows during the cooler parts of the day and allow ventilation between rooms.

Take cool showers or baths, splash yourself with cold water, or use a cool damp cloth to cool down.

If it's too hot at home, go to an air-conditioned shopping centre, community centre, library or your local swimming pool.

Avoid direct exposure to the sun where possible and protect yourself with appropriate clothing (loose-fitting, lightweight and light-coloured).

Do not leave children or animals in parked vehicles.

Keep in touch with friends, neighbours and relatives, particularly if they’re unwell or isolated.