Total hearth ban in place throughout Victoria’s southwest as nation braces for scorcher weekend | USAEMALL.com

Millions have been told to prepare for extreme heat this weekend as the south eastern corner of the country prepares to endure scorching conditions.

A total fire ban is in place for the Victorian south west as Melbourne’s set to peak at 38C on Saturday and then again on Sunday.

In addition, a severe heatwave warning remains in place for the state’s Northern Country, North East, East Gippsland, West and South Gippsland, Central and North Central districts.

The Bureau of Meteorology’s warning states maximum temperatures will increase from the high thirties to the low forties over Saturday and Sunday.

“Minimum temperatures ranging from the mid to high teens on Saturday … (and) increasing to the high teens to low twenties on Sunday,” the warning continues.

“The heat will peak on Sunday before a cool change extends from the west and eases heatwave conditions on Monday.

“Locations likely to be impacted include the Melbourne Metropolitan area, Ballarat, Moe, Mallacoota, Omeo, Shepparton, Traralgon, Wangaratta, Albury-Wodonga and Warragul.

Sydney-siders can look forward to a far more pleasant Saturday with a max of 29C.

In NSW, residents in Sydney’s west are being urged to brace for severe heat, as the mercury in Penrith climbs to 38C.

Canberra is set to hit 34C-35C, but the rest of Sydney will hover around 29C.

Most of costal Queensland will remain around 30C across the weekend with possible light showers.

Brisbane will hit 28C on Saturday and 29C on Sunday.

Adelaide will feel the heat with a max of 36C as authorities warn there is an extreme fire danger across the Mount Lofty Ranges.

Perth will remain relatively pleasant at 29C while much of the northern WA under a heatwave warning with max temperatures to reach the low to mid forties.

With the mercury set to soar across Victoria, Authorities have implemented a total fire ban as firefighters battle to get the ongoing fires in the Grampians region under control before catastrophic conditions return this weekend.

CFA chief officer Jason Heffernan warned: “Tomorrow’s conditions in the west and southwest will make it difficult for firefighters to suppress a fire should one start.”

“People travelling throughout the state during these summer holidays also need to remain alert and in tune with current fire danger ratings and warnings via the VicEmergency website or app and your emergency broadcasters.