High temperatures are expected over south-east Australia today and tomorrow, with several localities seeing their highest temperatures since last summer.

Low to severe-intensity heatwave conditions are expected across Victoria, southern South Australia and Tasmania today (Tuesday, December 27) and tomorrow (Wednesday, December 28), marking the first significant heatwave across the region this summer.

There are currently heatwave warnings in effect for parts of south-east Australia, with hot northerly winds pushing maximum temperatures to be 6-16°C above average today.

Heatwaves are more than just high daily maximum temperatures; they also take into consideration how much it cools down overnight.

Temperatures across the south-east capitals for December 27 2022, include:

  • Melbourne: Maximum of 37C, with an overnight minimum of 26C on Dec 28;
  • Adelaide: Maximum of 40C, with an overnight minimum of 17C on Dec 28;
  • Hobart: Maximum of 30C, with an overnight minimum of 22C on Dec 28.

Elsewhere, maximum temperatures will climb into the mid-to-high 30s for coastal areas and into the high-30s to low 40s inland.

The community is urged to take the necessary precautions to remain heat smart and stay safe over the holiday period.

Northerly winds will increase ahead of the cool change from Wednesday morning, particularly through elevated areas of Victoria and Tasmania.

A Severe Weather Warning for damaging winds has been issued for the Central and Eastern ranges in Victoria, including the Grampians and Otways, and for southern, central and eastern districts of Tasmania.

Gusty conditions are also likely through Melbourne and Hobart.

Winds above 90km/h will develop from early Wednesday morning, easing later in the day as the cool change arrives.

A cold front will bring a cool change to western and central districts of South Australia this afternoon, reaching Adelaide and south-eastern districts from the early hours of Wednesday morning. 

The cool change will sweep over Victoria, Tasmania, and New South Wales throughout Wednesday morning and afternoon. It is expected to reach Melbourne around midday and Hobart during the afternoon.

Showers will accompany the cold front, and isolated thunderstorms are possible.
Maximum temperatures will fall by 10 to 15°C as the change moves through, to average or below average on Thursday and Friday.

New Year’s Eve Forecast


Cooler days will be short-lived over south-east Australia, with temperatures warming up again into New Year’s Eve, becoming warm to hot.

The current New Year’s Eve forecast (Midnight temperature – New Year’s Day maximum and conditions):

  • Melbourne 19C – 34C. Partly cloudy.
  • Sydney 20C – 26C. Shower or two.
  • Brisbane 22C – 30C. Possible shower.
  • Perth 20C – 32C. Sunny.
  • Adelaide 17C – 32C. Sunny.
  • Hobart 15C – 27C. Partly cloudy.
  • Canberra 15C – 27C. Partly cloudy.
  • Darwin 26C – 30C. Showers. Storm.

Know your weather, know your risk.

Communities should stay up to date with the latest forecasts and warnings via the BOM website and BOM Weather app and follow the advice of emergency services.