Multiple states and territories are set to swelter into the new year as a heatwave grips much of northern Australia.
Parts of Queensland, the Northern Territory )NT_ and Western Australia have been put on alert with temperatures forecast to be 8C to 12C above average.
The Bureau of Meteorology issued a heatwave warning for the NT, Queensland and WA while the south faces milder conditions.
An extreme heatwave warning was in place for the NT’s Tiwi district and for the Kimberley, Pilbara and North Interior districts in WA.
Temperatures in the remote towns of Marble Bar and Roebourne, in the northwest of WA, were expected to reach 48C on Sunday, with top temperatures at Marble Bar well above 40C for the next six days.
Most towns in the NT’s Barkly region were also expected to top the 40C mark.
While a severe heatwave warning was in place for parts of Queensland, elsewhere the chance of severe thunderstorms had emergency services on high alert.
Communities from Charters Towers to Emerald were warned to brace for heavy rain and possible flash flooding.
The state has already been hit by wild storms and floods that killed seven people over Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
The severe weather caused widespread power outages and more than 20,000 people in the southeast are still without electricity.
Further north, Cairns residents are being asked to conserve drinking water following severe flooding earlier in December, in the aftermath of ex-tropical Cyclone Jasper.
Mild weather is forecast for the southeast, including Sydney, on Sunday as Australia’s biggest city gears up for New Year’s Eve celebrations.
Tens of thousands of people are expected to flock to prime harbourside spots to watch the city’s famous fireworks.
Brisbane’s official NYE program has not been altered despite heatwave conditions.
