Australia Heatwave

Australia experienced a severe heatwave in January 2026, with temperatures reaching as high as 50.0°C (122.0°F) in some areas. The heatwave was particularly intense in the southeast, with numerous weather stations recording record-high daily temperatures.

The Australian Bureau of Meteorology reported that the country's area-averaged mean temperature was 1.90 degrees Celsius (3.42 degrees Fahrenheit) above the 1961–1990 average, making it the fourth-warmest January on record.

The heatwave had significant human and public-health effects, including an increased risk of heat-related illness. The Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne was also affected, with play suspended on some courts and roofs closed to provide shade.