Dry Lightning Warnings as Much of Australia Braces for Extreme Heat

The ongoing heatwave could evaporate rainfall from incoming storms, heightening the risk of dry lightning and dangerous winds, the Bureau of Meteorology warns.

A bushfire burning near Longwood, northern Victoria on Jan. 7, 2026. Firefighters warned millions of Australians of "catastrophic" bushfire dangers on Jan. 8 as they battled multiple blazes stoked by a heatwave blanketing the country. Kylie Shingles/CFA Wandong Fire Brigade/AFP via Getty Images

Severe heat warnings have been issued around most of Australia, as the Bureau of Meteorology predicts extreme temperatures, risk of dry lightning, and strong winds across South-Eastern Australia.

The warnings come as residents of the Victorian town of Longwood were directed to leave amid intensifying fire conditions.

Victoria’s Country Fire Authority chief officer Jason Heffernan reported early property losses in Longwood, including damage to horse paddocks.

“We’re getting teams out today to assess that, but early reports coming in indicate that we have some degree of losses,” he told ABC on Jan. 8.

According to the Bureau of Meteorology, south-east Australia, including southern South Australia (SA) and western and central Victoria, including Melbourne, will see total fire bans in place for several days as an especially hot air mass travels from Western Australia to SA and Victoria.

Temperatures across the regions are expected to reach the high 30s and 40s, with a maximum of 46 degrees in the Victorian township of Oak Valley.

Severe thunderstorms are also possible across the warning area, particularly in Victoria, from Jan. 8. The Bureau warned that storms may bring large hail and damaging wind gusts but minimal rainfall, with most rain expected to evaporate in the hot air mass.

This poses a dry lightning risk, which, when coupled with strong winds, could cause erratic fires.

Peak fire danger is anticipated on Jan. 9, with strong and gusty winds and maximum temperatures of around 40 degrees in Melbourne. The risk of thunderstorms is also ongoing.

Heat to Shift East as Health Warnings Issued

From Jan. 10, cooler conditions are expected to cycle through SA, Victoria, and Tasmania as the heat moves up towards Sydney, where weekend temperatures could hit 40 degrees or more.

The Bureau is expecting fire danger to elevate in New South Wales (NSW) over the weekend, including in the Sydney metropolitan area.

Specific regions likely to be impacted by extreme weather include Victoria’s northern country, north-east, west and south Gippsland, and east Gippsland, as well as the cities of Melbourne, Ballarat, Bendigo, Horsham, Mildura, Albury-Wodonga, Melton, Maryborough, Seymour, and Shepparton.

In South Australia, areas of focus include Adelaide, Murraylands, the Upper South East, Yorke Peninsula, the west coast, and surrounding regions.

In NSW, extreme heat could impact inland and western areas, including Western Sydney, Riverina, and Murray regions.

The ACT, WA, and Tasmania are also expected to endure hotter-than-average temperatures, while Queensland is not forecast to be significantly affected by the heatwave.

From a health perspective, the Bureau is warning of potential exhaustion from heat stress during the day, coupled with disrupted sleep at night.

State governments have issued heat health warnings, reminding residents to take precautions, particularly for children and the elderly.

People in heat-affected areas are advised to stay hydrated, keep cool, check on others, and never leave animals or children in cars.