Brutal heatwave to strike Australia today: How hot it will get

Australia is in for a scorcher on Monday - with multiple heatwave and bushfire warnings in place - as temperatures soar on the public holiday.

Every capital city is headed for maximum temperatures above 30C, with the mercury forecast to hit an astonishing 42 in Melbourne, before a late cool change brings some relief.

Sydney is due for 31C, Brisbane 30, Adelaide 35, Perth 32 and Hobart 32C.

Hot, dry and windy weather will cause extreme fire dangers for western and central Victoria and much of eastern South Australia.

A total fire ban has been declared on Monday for the Wimmera, Mallee, south-west, central and north-central regions of Victoria as temperatures are forecast to reach the high 30s to mid-40s, with gusty winds of 70 to 80km/h.

Country Fire Authority chief officer Jason Heffernan ...
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