The Bureau of Meteorology has forecast temperatures of up to 37 degrees in Sydney today as Melbourne’s conditions relax to 22 degrees – just a day after the mercury skyrocketed to more than 40 degrees in some parts of the state.

A severe thunderstorm warning for heavy rain has been also been issued for the Upper Western District in NSW.

Meanwhile, parts of Queensland are experiencing above average temperatures and staring down a tropical low in the state’s north.

NSW

Heatwave conditions are continuing across parts of central NSW but the Bureau of Meteorology has forecast a welcome cool change to come in the evening.

Mercury levels have tipped to 33.5 degrees in Sydney and Richmond while maximum temperatures of up to 33.1 degrees have been forecast in Richmond.

Batemans Bay has recorded 33 degrees while Dubbo’s temperatures have reached 32 degrees.

A BOM spokesman said southerly winds were expected to bring a cooler change later in the evening.

Parts of the NSW south coast, including Batemans Bay, Bega and Ulladulla, are forecast to receive showers through the afternoon and evening.

A severe thunderstorm warning for heavy rain has been also been issued for the Upper Western District in NSW.

VICTORIA

Despite soaring temperatures of up to 39 degrees earlier this week, cooler changes have come through in Victoria and will stay for the duration of the week.

Some parts of the state, including Coldstream, Ferny Creek and Pakenham Upper, have been relieved with rainfalls of up to 10-15mm from a rain band in the east.

Coldstream recorded the highest rainfall with 21mm.

Currently, temperatures in Melbourne have eased to 17.8 degrees and are only expected to peak around 22 degrees.

Meteorologist Christie Johnson said the warmest part of the states include Combienbar at 25.2 degrees and Bendigo, currently standing at 24.6 degrees.

Ms Johnson explained the heatwave conditions earlier this week were because of hot air moving over parts of the state from northerly winds.

The cooler change is forecast to persist through the week and Ms Johnson said a number of showers would develop across the state as another trough moves in.

QUEENSLAND

The sunshine state is forecast to experience a mixture of above average temperatures and rainfall in different parts of the state as a tropical low bears down from the north.

Meteorologist Pieter Claassen said it was expected to reach tropical cyclone strength on Thursday morning.

Mr Claassen said the cyclone watch extends from Arukun to Karumba and those locations could experience gale force winds in the next 48 hours.

“There’s a bit of uncertainty as to where it will move to but we forecast it will move out to the east,” Mr Claassen said.

Heavy rain is forecast about western parts of Cape York Peninsula, including Weipa and Gilbert River Mouth, for the next several days with the potential for 150 to 200 millimetres.

Across Queensland, maximum temperatures of up to 32 degrees are forecast in Brisbane today with light winds up to 20kmh in the middle of the day.

Temperatures will soar to more than 37 degrees in the state’s north west, with isolated thunderstorms forecast for the morning.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Adelaide’s maximum temperatures are forecast to reach 24 degrees, just a day after the South Australian capital’s wettest day in 18 months.

The Bureau of Meteorology’s West Terrace station recorded 29.6mm in less than four hours on Monday.\

Temperatures will soar in the state’s North West Pastoral and North East Pastoral regions, with the mercury tipped to reach 38 degrees in Moomba alone.

A maximum temperature of up to 36 degrees has been forecast for Oodnadatta, 36 for Marla and 34 for Maree.

Across the metropolitan districts, maximum temperatures are not forecast to exceed past 25 degrees.

NORTHERN TERRITORY

A warning for heavy rainfall has been issued for the Northern Territory’s Daly and Gregory districts as a monsoon moves across the western Top End.

The announcement comes as Darwin braces for thunderstorms this Australia Day, with rainfall totals between 25 to 60mm expected.

Maximum temperatures are forecast to reach 29 degrees today and hover around the 30s for the remainder of the week.

A tropical low is expected to form near the southern Daly District and will deepen over the southern Daly District or northern Gregory District during Wednesday, then begin to move westwards towards Kimberley from Thursday.

The Bureau of Meteorology has forecast 24 hour totals of 100-150mm in the warning area and heavier falls of 150-200mm near the coast.

Locations which may be affected include Wadeye, Nauiyu, Timber Creek, Dundee Beach, Palumpa, Peppimenarti and Newry.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Perth will remain dry and relatively temperate this Australia Day but maximum temperatures are forecast to hover around the 30s later this week.

The Western Australian capital is currently experiencing maximum temperatures of 26 degrees, with light winds becoming south-westerly 20 to 30 km/h in the middle of the day.

TASMANIA

Hobart’s temperatures will not exceed 22 degrees on Tuesday and are expected to drop over Wednesday and Thursday.

A 40 per cent chance of rain has been forecast but the showers may only deliver up to 2mm.

Maximum temperatures will drop to 11 and 19 degrees on Wednesday and Thursday respectively.