6m agoTue 6 Jan 2026 at 11:03pm
GP body provides heatwave health advice
As the heatwave grips Australia in the coming days, the Royal Australian College of GPs (RACGP) is encouraging the public to prioritise hydration, rest indoors and check in on people more susceptible to heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
RACGP President Michael Wright said that high temperatures pose many health risks.
Royal Australian College of GPs president Michael Wright (ABC News: John Gunn)
“Heatwaves can be deadly, and the Bureau of Meteorology has warned that this promises to be the ‘most significant’ heatwave south-eastern Australia has seen in six years,” Dr Wright said.
“My advice for all Australians is to drink plenty of water, try to stay indoors if possible during those peak UV hours of 11am to 3pm, and remember to ‘slip, slop, slap’.
“It’s also important to check in on friends and family members who are more vulnerable to the impact of heat waves, including older people.”
Dr Wright said heatweaves had caused the most hospitalisations related to extreme weather over the last decade, and the risk of hospitalisation increased with age.
15m agoTue 6 Jan 2026 at 10:54pmMelbourne heat, in pictures
25m agoTue 6 Jan 2026 at 10:44pm
How to stay cool in the heat
Heatwaves are not just uncomfortable, they can be killers.
Health authorities are urging people to stay indoors today, to drink plenty of water and wear protective clothing like hats as well as sunscreen.
Check on elderly neighbours and seek out public places with air-conditioning if you don’t have it.
32m agoTue 6 Jan 2026 at 10:38pm
Regional residents urged not to be complacent
The conditions will likely make it more difficult for firefighters battling a bushfire north-east of Victoria in Mt Lawson State Park, with warnings in place for towns including Bungil, Thologolong, Burrowye and Granya.
Towong Shire councillor and CFA member David Wortmann, who lives in Granya near the NSW border, said he was concerned about the dry grass and predicted wind.
“I’m afraid the bush is very dry and the potential for fires is extreme,” he said.
“We’ve had really two dry years, water is a big issue. Yesterday helicopters were operating on the fire … water supplies for stock are limited.
“Water is going to be a big issue if a major fire happens.”
David Wortmann lives in Granya on the NSW border in Victoria’s north. (ABC News)
He said he believed many residents had strengthened their fire preparations since Black Summer in 2019-20, but urged people not to let their guard down over coming days.
“People have got to be prepared and keep informed because we don’t know what’s going to happen over the next few days,” he said.
39m agoTue 6 Jan 2026 at 10:30pmFire danger in Victoria
While Victoria is experiencing extreme heat today and fire bans in place in several regions, the Country Fire Authority’s chief officer Jason Heffernan says it’s Friday that has authorities particularly concerned.
“We’re likely to see widespread, very high, extreme fire dangers across the state as we return to those mid-40 temperatures,” Mr Heffernan says.
“But it’s going to be those very strong to potentially destructive northerly winds that will come across the state later in the afternoon on the Friday that has us all concerned.”
CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan (ABC News)
Emergency Management Victoria says dangerous heat and fire conditions will last until Saturday.
It says winds would make it difficult for firefighters to get on top of any fires if they start.
53m agoTue 6 Jan 2026 at 10:16pm
Worst heat since Black Summer, bureau warns
Earlier this week, the Bureau of Meteorology warned parts of Victoria, SA and southern NSW could see conditions on par with the summer of 2019-20.
The period became known as Black Summer after weeks of bushfires in Victoria and NSW burnt through more than 24 million hectares and destroyed more than 3,000 homes.
Widespread dry conditions, including drought, are causing authorities concern and the heat has prompted many fire bans.
1h agoTue 6 Jan 2026 at 9:59pm
Who is affected by the heatwave?
Intense heat is forecast for most of southern Australia as well as northern Western Australia.
Temperatures in the mid-40s are forecast today in multiple states, with some areas expected to approach records.
The forecast includes 44C in Western Sydney, 44C across northern Adelaide and 42C in Melbourne.
The ABC’s Tom Saunders reports there’ll also be exceptionally muggy nights, contributing to severe-to-extreme heatwave warnings across most of SA, Victoria, and NSW.
1h agoTue 6 Jan 2026 at 9:59pm
Welcome to today’s blog
Hello, thanks for joining us for today’s coverage of the heatwave conditions gripping large parts of Australia.
I hope you’re reading this from somewhere cool.
The weather bureau is forecasting temperatures in some parts of southern Australia today to be up to 15 degrees Celsius above the mid-summer average.