As the long weekend opens across Australia, severe weather warnings are in place across swathes of the country's south-east, while roads have been closed and evacuation centres opened in Western Australia in anticipation of a tropical cyclone due to make landfall this afternoon.
Tropical Cyclone Luana was named this morning as it emerged off the coast of Broome, in north-west WA.
Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) Senior Meteorologist Jonathan How told SBS News the cyclone was tracking toward the Dampier Peninsula, where it's expected to strengthen into a category 2 system before making landfall this afternoon.
"It will move across the Dampier Peninsula and across to Derby as a category 1 system tonight, and gradually turn and move southward," How said.
"We have already seen winds increasing across that part of the coast, and we're also seeing the rain pick up."
A category 2 system promises intense winds up to 140km per hour around the centre of the cyclone, only dipping to around 120km per hour on its outskirts.
It's the second tropical cyclone in the Kimberly region in a matter of weeks, after Tropical Cyclone Hayley ripped through Broome in late December, hitting a category 4 with wind gusts up to 230 kilometres per hour.
How said while Kimberly residents were likely "accustomed" to cyclone safety practices, he warned holiday-makers to remain "extra alert".
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"Just because it is cyclone season, doesn't mean people should be complacent," he said.
"We are also expecting flooding as the cyclone moves further inland. Roads can be cut off, and people could find themselves stranded this holiday season."
On Saturday morning, roads were closed in Broome and a Watch and Act notice was issued for the Dampier Peninsula. Emergency Services WA urged locals and travellers within the area to reconsider travel plans over the long weekend.
'Significant and prolonged' heatwave
The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) has also warned of potentially catastrophic bushfire danger as an intense and long-lasting heatwave drags across New South Wales, South Australia, Victoria and southern Queensland, with the potential for record-breaking temperatures over the coming week.
"We are seeing a very significant and prolonged heatwave building," How said.
"It will be the hottest temperatures we have seen since the 2019–20 Black Summer, and we could even see January or even all-time records being broken.
"What will make this heatwave more dangerous is how prolonged it will be. Inland parts of the affected states are likely to see a run of 5 to 7 days in the low to mid, even high 40s."
On Saturday, Adelaide and Melbourne's temperatures will soar past 40 degrees, with Adelaide expected to reach 43. Inland Victoria and New South Wales will see the mercury nudge the high 40s. Port Augusta, in northern South Australia, is forecast to hit 47 degrees.
While a slight cool change is expected to drop temperatures across Adelaide and Melbourne after next week, it will not reach inland areas, where the severe heat won't peak until Tuesday or Wednesday.
How said over the week, many south-eastern locations including in New South Wales and southern Queensland were also expected to experience temperatures in the mid to high 40s.
"There's really only some meaningful relief coming through next week, so it is a really long, drawn-out heatwave with increased fire dangers as well," he said.
While Australians might be accustomed to heat in summer, it was important to exercise caution during extreme temperatures, How warned.
"When we do get these temperatures in the 40s, in some cases dropping to the low-30s overnight, it can put a lot of stress on the body," he said.
"We'd remind people to drink plenty of water, try to stay out of the heat of the sun, and to of course keep an eye on pets and animals, who might find it more challenging."
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