Dust, heat and fire emergencies – but no relief in sight for weary Victorians

Victorians have endured a scorching day, with bushfire alarms, dust storms and poor air quality across the state – and the weather bureau warns there is more to come.

Dust storms across parts of Victoria and NSW are
 forecast for Friday afternoon and over the weekend. 

“It has been a stinker across most of Victoria,” Bureau of Meteorology state manager Andrew Tupper said late on Friday afternoon, after many towns recorded temperatures in the mid-40s.

But, rather than the cool change many across the state might be expecting, extremely humid air and heavy rain will roll in within hours.

“It will be more than uncomfortable. It will be quite difficult for some,” Mr Tupper said.

The change will bring windy conditions – as well as potential flash flooding and the likelihood of more of the muddy rain that fell in Victoria earlier in January.

Read the story from The New Daily - “Dust, heat and fire emergencies – but no relief in sight for weary Victorians.”

Firefighters battle to contain Adelaide Hills blaze as heatwave looms

Up to 200 firefighters are continuing to battle a deadly bushfire in the Adelaide Hills, as the weather bureau warns of another severe heatwave expected to hit the region later this week.

The Cudlee Creek fire remains uncontained five days after it started.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison yesterday visited the Cudlee Creek fire ground, where more than 80 homes have been destroyed and one life lost since the blaze broke out in catastrophic conditions on Friday.

"In these fires we have seen the best of Australia, the overwhelming story of these fires is the best of Australians in their response," Mr Morrison said yesterday.

"The fire season has a long way to go yet … for so many firefighters it is going to be another day out there protecting their communities, and I thank them for their service."

While the battle to contain the fire is continuing unabated, Christmas is bringing a brief but welcome reprieve for some in the Adelaide Hills.

Read the ABC News story - “Firefighters battle to contain Adelaide Hills blaze as heatwave looms.”

Beaches closed as looming cyclone brings danger to Queensland

Severe Tropical Cyclone Oma is expected to bring more dangerous surf conditions and abnormally high tides as it moves closer to the southern Queensland coast, the weather bureau warns.

Didgeridoo player Russell Corowa is dwarfed by
 waves at Snapper Rocks on the Gold Coast on Tuesday.

The category two weather system was about 1100 kilometres north-east of Brisbane on Wednesday morning, and moving slowly towards Australia.

Beaches on the Gold Coast have already been closed this week, with people urged not to enter the water. A strong tide created by the impending cyclone has brought waves of up to three metres and led to some coastal streets being inundated.

On Tuesday, the king tide north of Mackay caused some erosion at Midge Point, and the Pioneer River to flow into the nearby carpark.

Read The New Daily story -  “Beaches closed as looming cyclone brings danger to Queensland.”