Heavens open, bringing relief from heat and fires
Wet and cooler conditions across much of southeastern Australia have provided relief from the heat and a bushfire burning for three weeks.
Wet and cooler conditions across much of southeastern Australia have provided relief from the heat and a bushfire burning for three weeks.
Total fire bans are in place amid extreme danger from heatwave conditions as firefighters work to control freshly sparked bushfires.
Much of southern Australia is sweltering through a three-day "sticky" heatwave with increasing fire danger risks amid blazes in popular holiday spots.
A rain-soaked community has been warned a flooding threat may return with more storms on the horizon after an emergency alert was cancelled, capping a wet week.
At least one person has been rescued as "very dangerous" storms brought heavy rain and flooding to parts of a state, including dumping over 80mm in an hour.
After scorching heat hit eastern Australia, severe thunderstorm warnings have been issued which may bring another fire threat - lightning.
The threat of bushfires will linger in Victoria's already-scorched Grampians region even after hot and windy conditions move north.
Dozens of communities have been urged to leave or take shelter as an out-of-control bushfire was fuelled further by gusty winds on a day of extreme conditions.
Survivors gathered at the shoreline in Darwin at dawn to remember the moment 50 years earlier when Cyclone Tracy made landfall, claiming 66 lives.
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Residents in the Grampians towns of Bornes Hill, Moyston and Pomonal have been told to leave immediately and seek shelter as a bushfire threat is imminent.
A wet week in Queensland has created ideal mosquito breeding conditions, with officials warning there's an increased risk of a serious virus spreading from NSW.
The countdown to Christmas is more frantic than festive for most Australians, with many tipped to complete their preparations with a last-minute rush.
Showers and storms will continue to linger about Queensland's north coast, but are not expected to cause renewed flooding as a tropical low moves out to sea.
Firefighters are working around the clock to prepare for sweltering Boxing Day conditions as warnings for several major blazes are downgraded.
Threats of floods, storms, bushfires and heatwaves are making summer holidays difficult to plan and navigate for tourists.
The flood risk remains in parts of north Queensland with storms still possible though relief is in sight as a tropical low moves out to sea.
Soaring frigatebirds warned of a cyclone that would be Australia's most destructive and put Darwin on the map for the wrong reasons.
Two people have been rescued after their car was trapped in floodwaters as a tropical low moves across northern Australia, triggering warnings.
Roads have been closed and rivers are rising in north Queensland, with severe storms prompting warnings for holiday travellers to reconsider festive driving.
Police have warned people to stay away from floodwaters after a teenager survived being sucked into a drain, emerging a few streets away with cuts and bruises.
Two more RAAF planes are set to bring home Australians stranded in Vanuatu following a 7.3 magnitude earthquake, as rescue and recovery efforts continue.
Australians can expect to be of good cheer as the official forecast for Christmas Day expects settled warm and dry conditions for most of the country.
The rain is finally set to ease in southeast Queensland after a run of bleak weather that has caused flooding, power outages and ruined a Test cricket match.
A tropical low is a chance of forming off rain-hit Queensland but the Bureau of Meteorology says it is unlikely to develop into the season's first cyclone.
Temperatures are starting to ease after a blast of heat sent the mercury soaring past 45C in parts of Victoria, NSW, Queensland and South Australia.
Research shows nearly three-quarters of Australians don't plan or properly protect their homes from potential storm damage before leaving on summer holidays.
Australians are being put on alert: our summers are becoming more erratic, with experts forecasting a season of heavy rain and warm weather - and bushfires.
A torrent of rain fell within an hour, turning roads into rivers, submerging cars and trapping drivers who tried to cross floodwaters during sudden storms.
More wild weather is forecast for parts of Australia's east after areas of Sydney were battered by damaging storms overnight.
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Public servants, big businesses and everyday folk have saved the day by turning off non-essential electricity during a major heatwave.
Australians are sweating through a major heatwave, while the energy regulator scrambles to keep the lights on.