Victoria's Heatwave: A Week of Record-Breaking Temperatures and Bushfire Risks
January 26, 2026 — 6:40am
Northern Victoria is bracing for a week-long heatwave, with temperatures reaching a scorching 49 degrees Celsius on Tuesday. This extreme heatwave poses a significant risk of bushfires, as evidenced by the recent smoke blanketing Melbourne from a dangerous fire in the Otways region. Emergency Management Commissioner Tim Wiebusch warns that parts of northern Victoria are likely to experience seven consecutive days above 40 degrees Celsius, a rare occurrence in the state.
The Bureau of Meteorology forecasts that the town of Ouyen, located in the state's far north-west, will break the Victorian temperature record on Tuesday, reaching 49 degrees Celsius. Hopetoun and Walpeup are also expected to reach 48 degrees Celsius, potentially setting new records for these locations. The cool change, which was predicted to arrive in Melbourne at 10 pm on Tuesday, will start in the state's southwest late on Tuesday afternoon.
Melbourne's maximum temperature is forecast to reach 30 degrees Celsius on Monday and peak at 44 degrees Celsius on Tuesday. The city is expected to cool down to the mid-20s on Wednesday and Thursday. The Bureau of Meteorology issued heatwave warnings for large parts of the state from Sunday to Wednesday, with the northeast experiencing 'extreme' conditions and the rest of northern Victoria facing 'severe' heatwave conditions.
During the heatwave, maximum temperatures in the northern half of the state will range from the high 30s to mid-40s, with the peak expected on Tuesday across the entire state. The coastal Gippsland region, however, will remain cooler, with temperatures reaching the low to mid-30s on Tuesday. Overnight minimum temperatures in the north will hover around the high teens to mid-20s, while the south will be slightly cooler, between 15 and 20 degrees Celsius.
The bureau predicts that severe to extreme heatwave conditions will persist, peaking on Tuesday and Wednesday before gradually easing in the southwest from mid-week. However, these conditions are not expected to subside across the rest of the state until a cooler change arrives towards the end of next weekend.
The impact of the heatwave has already been felt, with more than 1000 structures damaged by bushfires in Victoria this summer, including 289 homes. The Longwood fire, contained earlier this month, devastated parts of central Victoria. While a total fire ban has not yet been declared, the state is on high alert.
In the west, Mildura, Nhill, Hopetoun, and Horsham all reached 42 degrees Celsius on Saturday. The Australian Open was briefly suspended due to temperatures reaching 38.1 degrees Celsius at Melbourne Park. Mount Gellibrand, near the Otways fire ground, recorded a temperature of 38.6 degrees Celsius.
Ambulance Victoria reported 11 cases of children locked in cars as temperatures soared on Saturday, emphasizing the dangers of heat exposure. The heatwave has also caused health concerns, with warnings that smoke may aggravate existing heart and lung conditions and cause irritation of the eyes, coughing, and wheezing.
As the heatwave continues, Victoria faces a challenging week, with the risk of bushfires and potential health impacts. The state must remain vigilant and take necessary precautions to ensure the safety of its residents.
