Aussies brace for scorching week, heatwaves in multiple states after wild 50C temperature range for first week of summer revealed

Millions of Aussies are on alert for scorching conditions, elevated fire danger and even possible thunderstorms over the coming days - amid a wild 50C temperature range across the country in the first week of summer.

Multiple heatwave warnings are in place for parts of Western Australia, South Australia, the Northern Territory and Queensland until Friday as the mercury climbs upward of 45C in WA’s Pilbara region.

On Tuesday, maximum temperatures in NSW were 4-10 degrees above the December average.

According to Weatherzone, there was a 50C temperature range across Australia in the first week of summer.

The temperatures ranged from -4C at Thredbo in NSW on December 2, to 46C at Moomba in SA and in Birdsville, Queensland on December 6.

The Bureau of Meteorology’s afternoon update on Tuesday stated there was widespread high fire danger through the central and regional parts of the state - including the Hunter, Illawarra and Sydney metropolitan forecast districts.

Meteorologist Christie Johnson said the metro area even had pockets of “extreme” fire danger.

Temperatures in Sydney climbed to 30C on Tuesday and up to 39C in Penrith.

“We’re not expecting to see the widespread extreme fire danger that we saw at the weekend,” Ms Johnson said in the bureau’s update.

“The winds are not as strong as they were on Saturday, but we are still looking at high fire danger through much of the state.”

Ms Johnson said a trough lingering over northeastern NSW would increase the risk of thunderstorms over Wednesday and Thursday, which could produce damaging wind gusts and large hail.

On Tuesday evening, multiple fire alerts remained in place across NSW - including a warning for the village of Bogee, north of Lithgow.

“Firefighters remain on scene undertaking property protection where required,” a warning from the NSW Rural Fire Service states.

“If you are between Marsden Rd and Capertree River on Home Hills Rd and Marsden Rd, follow the advice of emergency services personnel on scene.

“The fire is burning quickly and may impact on properties between Marsden Rd and Capertree River on Home Hills Rd and Marsden Rd.”

Last weekend, fires ripped through at least 20 homes.

Firefighters were called to battle an enormous blaze which burned through the Koolewong, Phegans Bay and Woy Woy Bay areas, destroying more than 129 hectares of land.

One veteran firefighter - since identified as John Lohan - died on a property at Nerong after being crushed by a tree about 10:45pm on Sunday.

Temperatures are forecast to drop to below 25C over Wednesday and Thursday.

But Sky News Weather meteorologist Tamsin Green said some conditions for the country’s interior were set to get more severe.

“We can see the real focus really is across the interior by the end of the week,” she said, pointing to a forecast model which indicated temperatures in excess of 45 degrees were likely for some central areas on Friday,” Ms Green said.

“So that focus really is across the centre, also portions of the west as well, rather than the east towards the end of the week.”

Heatwave warnings remain in place for multiple states over Wednesday, continuing into Friday.

In WA, a severe heatwave warning is in place for the Kimberley, Pilbara, Gascoyne, North Interior and South Interior forecast districts.

“Maximum temperatures ranging from the high thirties to the mid forties and overnight minimum temperatures in the mid to high twenties,” the bureau’s warning states. “Severe heatwave conditions are expected to contract slowly southwards and ease over the next few days. Locations likely to be impacted include Fitzroy Crossing, Karratha, Newman, Paraburdoo and Warburton.”

Maximum temperatures are forecast to peak at 46C in the iron ore mining town of Pannawonica on Wednesday.

A similar warning exists for the Gulf Country in Queensland - with forecasts of maximum temperatures in the high thirties to low forties, with overnight minimum temperatures in the mid to high twenties.