AFP, SYDNEYAustralia is bracing for a heat wave to sweep across the nation’s fire-ravaged southeast in the coming days, with the forecast stoking fears the soaring temperatures could inflame bushfires. Temperatures yesterday reached more than 40°C in South Australia state, where dangerous fire weather warnings were issued in several bushfire-prone areas. The heat wave is then expected to hit Melbourne and Canberra today, before parts of Sydney reach 45°C at the weekend. Storms are forecast to follow the heat wave, bringing rain that could help dampen fires, but also the potential for wild weather, including flash flooding. Extreme weather has battered parts of Australia, bringing giant hail, floods and landslides.

Source: Taipei Times January 30, 2020 16:04 UTC