Brisbane hit 34.4°C, the hottest September day since 2019. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing The Guardian.
Unseasonably hot weather has gripped southeast Queensland, prompting local fire bans in Ipswich and the Lockyer Valley. Firefighters advised residents in Plainland to prepare to leave due to a dangerous bushfire near the Warrego Highway.
An emergency warning was issued for a large grass fire near Tabulam in New South Wales, but was later downgraded. According to the Bureau of Meteorology's Steve Hadley, westerly winds could bring hotter air from inland towards Brisbane.
Coastal areas from Gladstone to the Gold Coast were a few degrees shy of breaking records. Queensland experienced its third-warmest winter on record, with temperatures 1.8°C above average.
In Sydney, temperatures reached 33°C on Saturday, with early September maximums matching midsummer averages. The BoM warned of unseasonal heat in the low to mid-30s in northeastern NSW and southeast Queensland.
Severe weather warnings were in place over the weekend due to damaging winds. In Banksia, Sydney, two children were treated for head injuries after jumping castles were lifted by strong winds. Similar incidents occurred in Mount Duneed, Victoria.
Temperatures are expected to drop in the coming days. Meteorologist Jonathan How noted that a cold front swept across southeastern Australia, bringing damaging winds, rain, and storms. A dry cool change is moving up the east coast, bringing milder temperatures from Monday. Western Australia will see more rain, while Tasmania and Victoria can expect showers.