Heat, damaging winds, storms and snow hit Australia’s eastern states in wild weather weekend

Australians are being warned to brace for extreme heat, dangerous fire conditions and flooding as a powerful weather system lashes the nation’s east.

Queensland will bear the brunt of the heat on Sunday, with temperatures forecast to reach 34C in Brisbane and 36C in Ipswich.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Extreme weather hits eastern Australia this weekend

Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today Arrow

Smoke is already affecting Ipswich and parts of Brisbane’s southwest, while high fire danger has prompted warnings for residents to take care.

Bureau of Meteorology senior meteorologist Jonathan How told Sunrise on Sunday the conditions were highly unusual for the beginning of spring.

“Today will be a scorcher,” he warned.

“34C in Brisbane, 36C over in Ipswich before the cool change arrives later this afternoon and into the evening.

“With high fire danger as well, we are reminding people across southeast Queensland to take care.”

Sydney swelters through inclimate spring day

The heat comes after early spring temperature records were broken across Sydney and other parts of the NSW coast on Saturday.

Temperature records were broken across Sydney on Saturday. Credit: Sunrise

The city reached 32C, eclipsing a previous record set in 2013, while temperatures climbed to 33C in parts of western Sydney.

“Absolutely incredible rollercoaster of weather across Sydney yesterday,” How said.

“We did see those early spring heat records tumbling right across the city, and pretty much anywhere between Nowra and Taree also saw records.”

The heat was followed by storms and damaging winds as a powerful cold front crossed the region.

Storms and damaging winds crept across the state as the afternoon progressed. Credit: Sunrise

While conditions in Sydney are expected to be cooler and calmer on Sunday, the system is now moving north along the NSW coast.

“The cold front responsible has moved away from Sydney, but is now racing up the New South Wales coast,” How said.

“So for Sydney today, much calmer weather, much cooler. But there is more on the way for areas in the north of the state.”

The wild conditions were in stark contrast to the state’s alpine region, where snow fell at Perisher on Saturday, although little additional snowfall is expected as the weekend continues.

Flood warnings issued after heavy rain

Victorians are meanwhile being urged to monitor flood warnings after between 50mm and 80mm of rain fell across some alpine areas.

Between 50mm and 80mm of rain fell across some alpine areas. Credit: Sunrise

Warnings are current for the Murray and Loddon rivers, with further warnings issued for the state’s northeast.

“There is still a lot of water to flow downstream,” How said.

“We are expecting that flooding to continue for a couple more days.

“A few more showers around today. But if you’re out across that part of Victoria, keep across those latest flood warnings.”

Elsewhere, Melbourne, Hobart and Adelaide are forecast to enjoy a cooler and mostly dry Father’s Day.

Showers are expected in Perth during the morning before conditions ease, with calmer weather forecast across much of the country heading into the new week.