Sydney heat record in sight as damaging winds, rain and storms target southeast

Sydney is on track for an unusually hot start to spring on Saturday as temperatures soar to 33C. 

The forecast temperature would be enough to break the record for the hottest day recorded this early in the warming season if the mercury rises above 31.5C. 

At the same time, South Australia and Victoria will face widespread weather warnings as a cold front and low-pressure system move across the southeast. 

News24 meteorologist Rob Sharpe said the system would bring a sharp change for areas that have experienced above-average warmth in recent days. 

“We’ve got three widespread warnings in three states from the Bureau. So, SA, Victoria, and New South Wales are going to bear the brunt of the winds with this system,” he said.

South Australia will see the main impact during Saturday morning and early afternoon, with strong winds and rain targeting central and southeastern areas. 

The weather will feel much colder than recent conditions, with the wind chill adding to the drop in temperatures.  

Showers and rain will ease later in the day. 

Victoria will also see a wet and windy day.  

Rain will focus on the eastern half of the state, while showers continue across southern and mountain districts into the afternoon and evening. 

Snow is also possible across the Victorian Alps as colder air moves in behind the initial rain band.  

Snow levels could fall to about 1500 metres during the evening. 

National forecast for SaturdayNew South Wales 

Sydney is expected to reach 33C on Saturday as hot northwesterly winds push towards the coast. The temperature would set a new early spring record if it exceeds 31.5C. 

The heat will also contribute to the first extreme fire danger day of the season in parts of NSW.  

The east coast will largely miss the rain affecting southern parts of the state, while temperatures will reach above 30C in many coastal areas and extend inland towards Bourke. 

Elsewhere, Newcastle and Maitland are expected to reach 31C. 

South Australia 

South Australia will be among the areas hardest hit by the weather system, with strong winds and rain focused on central and southeastern parts of the state. 

The main threat will come during the morning and early afternoon before conditions ease.  

Adelaide will top at 17C, while further north, Port Augusta will reach 21C and Roxby Downs will hit 23C. 

Victoria 

Victoria will see periods of rain across the eastern half of the state, with showers continuing through southern and mountain districts into the afternoon and evening. 

Colder air moving behind the rain could bring snow to the Alpine region.  

Melbourne will peak at 19C. 

Tasmania 

Tasmania will see rain and thunderstorms sweep across the state, with northern areas likely to receive the heaviest falls. 

A low-pressure system will move slowly across Tasmania, bringing widespread rain before conditions gradually ease. 

Hobart will top at 15C. 

Queensland 

Queensland will remain hot but largely dry, avoiding the strongest winds and heaviest rain affecting the southern states. 

Brisbane is forecast to reach 33C on Saturday, with temperatures remaining high into Sunday before a cool change arrives across southeast Queensland later in the day. 

Gold Coast and Maroochydore will top at 27C. 

Western Australia 

Western Australia will see another weather system arrive on Saturday, bringing showers to the west coast.  

Some rain is possible from mid-morning, with the main falls expected during the night. 

The system will then move inland and become more significant across the Great Victoria Desert.  

Some areas could receive about 50mm, while 25mm to 50mm is possible across a wider area from Sunday through the middle of next week. 

Areas between Kalgoorlie and Uluru are also forecast to receive above-average rainfall, with showers and thunderstorms expected to linger across the region. 

Perth is expected to reach a high of 20C. 

Northern Territory 

The Northern Territory will remain mostly dry, although isolated showers are possible across the Top End. 

Central and northern areas will stay warm, while temperatures cool across the far south as the change moves through. 

The southeast will begin to settle on Sunday, with calmer and drier conditions expected after Saturday’s combination of heat, rain and strong winds. 

Darwin will top at 32C on Saturday.