Australia and New Zealand are bracing for a challenging week of extreme weather as damaging winds and high temperatures sweep across the regions. The New Zealand meteorological agency has alerted the public that conditions are expected to worsen starting Thursday.
In Australia, a heat wave originating from the west is making its way to the southeast, with Sydney forecasted to experience temperatures soaring near 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit). Angus Hines, a forecaster from the Bureau of Meteorology, mentioned that it’s possible for parts of Sydney to approach record temperatures for this time of year.
Alongside this heat, wind gusts could reach as high as 100 kilometers per hour (62 mph) in various areas, raising alarm over bushfire risks. Currently, 36 fires are actively burning across New South Wales, the most populous state in Australia, with nine of those fires remaining uncontained.
New Zealand is not immune to these weather challenges. Firefighters in the country are battling wildfires near Kaikoura on the South Island and in Hawke’s Bay on the North Island, with strong winds exacerbating the situation. Fire and Emergency New Zealand’s Assistant National Commander, Ken Cooper, reported that at least 14 structures, including five homes, have already been lost near Kaikoura, as roads are closed and evacuation centers are set up.
Looking ahead to Thursday, New Zealand is expected to experience gusts ramping up to 150 kilometers per hour along the east coast of the South Island and around the capital, Wellington. The weather service has also forecast heavy rainfall for various parts of the country, posing further risks for residents.
Authorities are stressing the importance of preparedness, advising people to stay indoors, avoid travel if possible, and be ready for potential power and communication disruptions. The stark weather warnings come in the wake of prior incidents in Australia, where heavy rains have caused significant flooding and loss of life in recent weeks.
This week’s weather warnings underscore the pressing need for community resilience and cooperation during natural disasters. Despite the challenging conditions, both Australia and New Zealand demonstrate an admirable spirit of vigilance and community support as they navigate through this tumultuous period.