US EditionAustralia’s hottest towns hit 120F in a grueling heat wave
A persistent upper-level high-pressure system trapped heat, pushing multiple states near 50°C, causing wildfires, power outages, and a public health emergency, the Climate Council said.
- On January 29, 2026, a heat dome parked over southern and southeastern Australia, producing record after record as temperatures climbed close to 50 C with Hopetoun and Walpeup, Victoria, hitting 48.9 C.
- WBA found the January 7-9, 2026 analysis showed human-caused warming made the event 1.6 C hotter and more likely, with a blocking pattern trapping heat, Bureau forecasters said.
- Power and water systems were damaged as fires advanced, cutting safe drinking water in Gellibrand, Victoria, while earlier this week more than 100,000 homes lost electricity amid wildfire evacuations.
- Climate and health experts warned of a public‑health emergency as Australian health authorities urged hydration and checks while Ambulance Victoria noted heatstroke signs are life threatening, with more than 1000 deaths recorded during 2016–2019 heatwaves.
- Forecasts expect conditions to ease by Sunday, ending the heat dome, but forecasters warn February and March 2026 could bring more heatwaves, while the National Climate Risk Assessment projects rising heat risks with 2.8 C warming by 2100.
25 Articles
25 Articles
Australia is experiencing a historic heatwave. Record temperatures have been above 45°C for more than a week and a half, and this week they have regularly hit the 50°C mark, which was broken on Thursday and Friday. Such a long and intense episode of extreme heat is quite unique in the country. A phenomenon called a heat dome is largely to blame.
Faced with an exceptional heat wave, with temperatures reaching 50°C, Australians mobilize as they can to try to extinguish the flames and rescue the animals.
Australia’s hottest towns hit 120F in a grueling heat wave: ‘It’s just damn hot’
Vast swaths of southeastern Australia are sweltering in a heat wave that’s pushed temperatures to close to 50 degrees Celsius (122 degrees Fahrenheit) and forced some residents to protect their properties as wildfires race through parts of rural Victoria.
Records tumble as extreme heat grips Australia
The South Australian town of Marree was the hottest spot on the planet for a day, according to online world temperatures site El Dorado Weather. Photo: Getty More all-time temperature records have been smashed across Australia's interior as a climate change-fuelled heatwave grips the continent.
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