New year, more severe heat for northern Australia

Jacob Shteyman and Keira Jenkins | January 1, 2024

Large swathes of northern Australia have had a sweltering start to the new year with temperatures soaring into the 40s.

A heatwave warning is in place for parts of Queensland, the Northern Territory and Western Australia. 

In WA Marble Bar is expected to reach 45C on Tuesday with similar maximums forecast across the next seven days.

The town’s heat gauge has been showing scorching temperatures higher than the bureau’s official readings in recent days, with thermometers at the local RSL registering 51C.

The heatwave conditions are expected to ease slightly throughout the week in the Pilbara and Kimberley regions. 

The NT is expecteing temperatures up to the low 40s in the coming days, with overnight temperatures only cooling to the mid to high 20s.

Borroloola, in the Gulf of Carpenteria, is tipped to reach 41C on both Monday and Tuesday.

Severe heatwave conditions are expected to continue for the Top End, then begin to ease over southern and western areas of the Territory.

In Queensland’s northern and western regions severe heatwave conditions are setting in, while temperatures dropped in the southeast with rain and storms.

Tops of 41C are predicted for Mt Isa in Queensland’s Gulf Country for Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.