Temperatures are soaring and so are the rain gauges as Australia's weather ends the year with forecasts of heatwaves, possible floods, fires and cyclones.
Total fire bans have again been declared for Friday in Victoria's Mallee district and in nine South Australian districts, including the Mid North which is forecast to have catastrophic fire conditions.
Because of the fire danger, some national parks and reserves in the Mid North district will be closed, SA's Department of Environment and Water advises.
Extreme temperatures are sweeping much of southern Australia, with temperatures ranging from 10C to 14C higher than usual for this time of year, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.
In Queensland, residents could soon be bracing for a cyclone.
December monthly rainfall records have already been shattered in the far north, but more "significant falls" are expected in coming days, prompting a major flood warning for the Daintree River and flood watches for the Mossman, Mulgrave and Russell rivers.
