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Record October heat possible in at least three states

Source Weatherzone Fri 17 Oct 2025

A broad area of outback heat intensifying over the weekend and continuing into next Monday and Tuesday could generate record high temperatures for October in at least three states. South Australia, Queensland, New South Wales and even the ACT could all break their October heat records with maximums in the mid-40s as this event unfolds. During the week, a large mass of hot air built up over northwest WA, with Mardie in the Pilbara reaching 43.5°C on Monday and Tuesday, which is 8°C above average for an October day. This heat is now spreading across the country, causing a huge pool of unseasonably warm temperatures in outback regions, while parts of southeastern Australia closer to the coast will also experience a brief burst of unseasonable heat later in the weekend and into the new week. Let’s break down the areas of potentially record-breaking heat state by state: Image: Maximum temperatures for next Tuesday, October 21, show broad areas of pink (44°C or higher) pushing well into NSW. South Australia Oodnadatta in SA’s North East Pastoral forecast district is forecast to reach 43°C on Sunday and 45°C by Monday. Tarcoola in the North West Pastoral forecast district could also see 45°C on Sunday. So there’s the possibility the old SA October heat record of 45.4°C (at Oodnadatta) could be broken. Adelaide will miss the worst of the heat, with its hottest day being Sunday with a likely maximum of 31°C. Queensland Birdsville in the far southwest of the state will likely see a run of at least five days with maximums over 40°C, beginning this Friday. The heat peaks on Sunday and Monday, with maximums of 44°C and 45°C on the cards, while heat approaching 45°C could also stick around until Tuesday. The state high temperature record for October is 45.1°C, also at Birdsville, so it’s conceivable that the record could be broken. Brisbane should reach 32°C on Saturday and 27°C on Sunday.  New South Wales The state record for October is 43.9°C at Brewarrina in the far northwest corner of the state. Parts of the NSW Upper Western forecast district are expected to reach 43°C on Tuesday (including Bourke and Tibooburra), meaning the October heat record is within reach. After potentially severe storms on Friday afternoon and evening, Sydney will have a relatively cool Saturday with a top of just 22°C, with the mercury rising to 32°C by Monday. Another burst of heat will see a very hot day next Wednesday that could reach 37°C. The ACT Canberra is not going to see the extreme outback heat, but it will cop that SE Australia heat surge early next week mentioned above. The national capital is forecast to reach 32°C on both Monday and Tuesday, with the October record being 32.7°C. Meanwhile it will be freezing in our southernmost state... Image: Webcam image from Mt Mawson, about two hours NW of Hobart, on the morning of Friday, October 17, 2025. Source: Mt Mawson. In Tasmania, snow is forecast down to 700m above sea level from this evening into Saturday as a cold front whips through the state. Maximums at places like kunanyi/Mt Wellington above Hobart will be below 5°C at times over the next five to six days, meaning it’s possible that locations across Australia will see concurrent temperatures that are 40 degrees apart! - Weatherzone © Weatherzone 2025