<?xml version="1.0" encoding="ISO-8859-1"?> <docID>340423</docID> <postdate>2025-03-15 11:35:26</postdate> <headline>Major cities and inland to swelter in sharp heatwave</headline> <body><p><img class="size-full wp-image-277575" src="https://citynews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/20191218001438548349-original-resized.jpg" alt="" width="1200" height="770" /></p> <caption>Adelaide and Melbourne can expect high heat on Saturday with Sydney set to scorch on Sunday. (Kelly Barnes/AAP PHOTOS)</caption> <p><span class="kicker-line">By<strong> Samantha Lock</strong></span></p> <p><strong>Australia's east coast will swelter through a summer-like heatwave with some areas to notch record-breaking temperatures.</strong></p> <p>Parts of NSW, Victoria and SA could feel temperatures up to 12C above the March average in what's shaping as a hot weekend.</p> <p>Melbourne and Adelaide can expect temperatures in the high 30s on Saturday, while Sydney can expect a maximum of 37C on Sunday.</p> <p>Inland areas will be hotter still, with Mildura in Victoria's northwest to reach 41C and SA's Renark to climb to 42C by Saturday afternoon.</p> <p>The heat is expected to stick around into the evening with the weather bureau predicting record-breaking March minimum temperatures overnight, especially across northern parts of Victoria including Shepparton and Albury-Wodonga.</p> <p>"It is quite late in the season to see the heat (but) not unprecedented," Bureau of Meteorology senior forecaster Jonathan How said.</p> <p>"What it means is that we will see the temperatures up to 12 degrees above the March average and elevated fire dangers as well."</p> <p>Authorities are warning the hot, dry conditions could increase the risk of bushfires in all three states.</p> <p>The heatwave is expected to give way to a cold front moving northeast.</p> <p>"Thankfully, it's not a long sort of heatwave," Mr How said. "We will see relief coming through in the next 24 to 36 hours."</p> <p>SA and Victoria are likely to feel the reprieve on Sunday but NSW won't see temperatures drop until Monday.</p> <p>The cold front will likely bring widespread rain showers and thunderstorms.</p> <p>Southern Queensland will also enjoy dry, calmer weather allowing floodwaters to recede and recovery efforts from ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred to continue.</p> <p>Canberra's forecast is for 35C and sunny on Saturday and 33C with a shower or two on Sunday.</p> </body>