Warnings issued as 'killer' heat expected on Australia's east coast

Australia’s east coast is set to get an early taste of summer, with record-breaking heat forecast later this week – prompting a warning from fire and health authorities.

After closing out a wild month that featured heavy rain and wild thunderstorms, scorching temperatures are set to grip parts of the country.

NSW Ambulance chief superintendent Alan Morrison urged people to take extra care and avoid the heat, especially children and the elderly.

“Heat can kill which is why it’s so important to stay hydrated and look out for the elderly, the young and pets,” he said in a statement.

Paramedics treated nearly 4500 people for dehydration between December 2017 and March 2018, and hundreds more for heat exhaustion.

Sydney set for first heatwave of the season

Sydneysiders are gearing up to hit the beaches over the weekend when temperatures reach the mid to high 30s and more than 40C in the far west.

Areas west of Wagga Wagga are predicted to cop it the worst in what the Bureau of Meteorology is tipping will be the first heatwave of the season.

“For some places it’s looking fairly likely we will receive record temperatures for this time of year,” the Bureau’s Jake Phillips told reporters in Sydney on Wednesday.

“It’s going to feel pretty summery; it doesn’t feel like spring anymore.”

A high bushfire danger is likely in parts of the state, with the Rural Fire Service on alert.

Rural Fire Service Inspector Ben Sheppard said forested areas up and down the NSW coast will be closely monitored.

“As this is the first heatwave of the season we’re encouraging people to check their property is prepared,” he told AAP.

Total fire ban for northern Victoria

A total fire ban has been issued for Victoria’s northwest Mallee region with temperatures set to reach close to 40C.

The ban has been issued for Thursday with no fires allowed to be lit in open air or allowed to remain alight, the Country Fire Authority has declared.

“Hot and dry conditions could make it difficult for firefighters to suppress a fire should one start, therefore we are asking people to take heed of the total fire ban conditions,” chief officer Steve Warrington said.

Temperatures are expected to get into the high 30Cs with winds becoming fresh and gusty during the afternoon, the Bureau of Meteorology predicted.

Mildura could get up to 39C on Thursday, with Swan Hill expected to hit 38C.

Melbourne is expected to reach temperatures above 30C.

Severe conditions as mercury rises in SA

Severe bushfire conditions have been declared for three South Australian districts as temperatures surge into the mid- to high-30s.

The Country Fire Service says conditions will be severe in the mid-north, the Mount Lofty Ranges and in the Riverland on Thursday.

The Bureau of Meteorology says Adelaide should have a top temperature of 36C with the mercury to push into the 40s in the north.

Both Moomba and Oodnadatta are forecast to have tops of 41C.

But the bureau says the hot conditions for the southern part of the state will be short-lived with a cool change to sweep across SA on Friday.

Parts of Queensland set to hit 43C

Parts of Queensland are also set to swelter throughout the next week or so with Brisbane set for 30-degree days from Saturday through to Tuesday.

Areas in the state’s Central West could hit as high as 40C with Barcaldine, Longreach and Blackall all forecast to hit past the 40C mark over the weekend.

Birdsville is forecast to hit 43C on Friday, Saturday and Sunday while Dalby in the Darling Downs will see 37 degrees on Monday and Tuesday.

North Queensland through to the Central Queensland region should have similar temperatures to the southeast of high 20s to low 30s.