Australia: High temperatures likely to persist over southern and southeastern regions through at least March 13

High temperatures are forecast to persist across southern and southeastern Australia through at least March 13. Daytime high temperatures exceeding 40 C (104 F) are expected across parts of South Australia, western Victoria, and southwestern New South Wales and between 30-40 C (86-104 F) across much of the rest of the affected area over the coming days.

As of March 7, the Australian Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has issued severe heatwave warnings (the middle level on a three-tier scale) for parts of Adelaide Metropolitan, Yorke Peninsula, Kangaroo Island, Upper South East, Lower South East, Murraylands, Mid North, West Coast, Eastern Eyre Peninsula, Lower Eyre Peninsula, and Mount Lofty Ranges districts in South Australia; Snowy Mountains District in New South Wales; Wimmera, East Gippsland, West and South Gippsland, Central, North Central, and South West districts in Victoria; and Furneaux Islands, North East, East Coast, Central North, Midlands, Central Plateau, and North West Coast districts in Tasmania. Authorities will likely issue new alerts or update/rescind existing advisories as weather conditions change over the coming days.

The extended period of oppressive heat and dry conditions may produce ideal circumstances for bushfire growth throughout the affected regions. Heatwaves also threaten vulnerable groups - such as the elderly, children, pregnant women, and those with respiratory illnesses - due to the increased possibility of heat stroke or heat exhaustion during prolonged exposure to high temperatures. These health risks could also extend to relatively healthy individuals during significant heatwave events. In addition to significantly impacting athletes and those who work outdoors, high temperatures can cause problems for people using mass transit. The lack of air conditioning and cramped vehicles during rush hour may lead to some passengers' hospitalization.

Very high temperatures may damage road surfaces, and overheated vehicles may worsen traffic problems in urban areas where congestion is already a problem. Commercial trucking disruptions might occur, as very high temperatures put more stress on vehicles, making tire blowouts more common. Major flight disruptions are unlikely at regional airports, but general aviation disruptions are possible, and some airfreight carriers could reduce cargo loads. High temperatures could lead to an increased demand for electricity, which might trigger localized brownouts or blackouts, exacerbating hazardous conditions when air conditioning is no longer possible.