Australia’s south-east has battled eight straight days of blazing temperatures above 40C. On Saturday, heat warnings were still active across most states except Tasmania. Canberra hit 41C, while parts of inland New South Wales, such as Broken Hill, exceeded 45C. Northern South Australia and western New South Wales saw record highs near 50C on Friday—49.8C at Marree and 50C at Andamooka. Marree has experienced seven days above 46C. Other hotspots included Ceduna (above 49C), Port Augusta, Port Pirie, and Tarcoola (above 48C). On Saturday, temperatures were forecast at 49C in Ivanhoe, 48C in Wilcannia, and 47C in Cobar. Mildura in Victoria expected 45C, and Thargomindah in Queensland 46C. Dean Narramore, senior meteorologist at the Bureau of Meteorology, said Saturday would be the last extremely hot day in south-eastern inland Australia. Tropical north Australia’s monsoon rains will bring a cool change to Victoria and South Australia on Saturday, spreading across the south-east on Sunday with temperatures dropping up to 15C. Northern South Australia will remain hot Saturday, but southern regions will cool thanks to fresh south-easterly winds. Western NSW will remain in the mid to high 40s, with cooler coastal areas and southeastern thunderstorms. Victoria’s northwest will have its last very hot day while the south cools. Two Victorian fires, at Carlisle River and Walwa on the NSW border, remain at watch and act levels with communities returning. Sunday’s forecast includes 29C in Sydney with showers, 31C in Canberra, 19C and showers in Melbourne, 33C in Brisbane, and 25C in Adelaide. This is Australia’s second major January heatwave, worsened by climate change making such events five times more likely. Hotter days and nights are expected until April, with higher sea temperatures around Australia continuing.