Severe heatwave warnings issued as temperatures top 40C across four states

Australians across several states are being urged to brace for dangerously hot conditions this week, with severe heatwave warnings issued and temperatures forecast to exceed 40 degrees in parts of the country.

Bureau of Meteorology warnings are in place for large areas of New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia, Tasmania and the Australian Capital Territory, with conditions expected to persist until at least Wednesday.

The bureau has cautioned that the extreme heat poses heightened risks for older Australians, infants and children, pregnant and breastfeeding women, as well as people with existing medical conditions or those who are unwell.

Forecasts indicate temperatures will reach or exceed 40C in New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia during the early part of the week.

In New South Wales, a severe to extreme heatwave is expected to expand and peak from mid to late week, with maximum temperatures climbing into the high 30s and low to mid-40s across parts of the state.

On the east coast, heatwave warnings extend across the South Coast, Snowy Mountains and South West Slopes of NSW, north-east and east Gippsland in Victoria, and Tasmania's north-east, east coast and Midlands. Warnings are also in place for the ACT and regions of South Australia including the West Coast, Lower Eyre Peninsula and North West Pastoral districts.

Victoria is forecast to experience particularly intense conditions, with maximum temperatures in the low to mid-40s across much of the state. From Thursday, temperatures are expected to remain in the high 30s in southern areas and reach the mid-40s in the north. Mildura is forecast to record maximums between 44C and 46C from Wednesday through Friday.

In South Australia, temperatures are predicted to reach the high 30s to mid-40s, with the heatwave expected to peak mid to late next week. Adelaide is forecast to reach 41C on Wednesday.

Western Australia is also facing extreme conditions, with heatwave warnings covering the Kimberley, Pilbara, Gascoyne, Goldfields, Eucla, North and South Interior regions and the Central Wheatbelt. Parts of the state's northwest could experience temperatures climbing into the high 40s.