The week started with severe Tropical Cyclone Laurence hammeringnorthwestern Australia with winds to 170 mph. Now, fires are breaking outacross Australia.Strong north winds have pushed hot weather all the way to the coast of SouthAustralia and Victoria. The heat, high winds, and low humidity have combined tospawn numerous fires.
Wednesday, fires burned homes in South Australia not far from the capital ofAdelaide. The fires sent people "fleeing for their lives." A fire in Victoriaburned over 16,500 acres near the Cann River.
Flash flood warnings were issued for the Australian Outback Wednesday as theremnants of Laurence passed through. Rainfall will be on the order of severalinches. Average annual rainfall in the Australian Outback is only about 10inches.
A cold front will sweep across South Australia and Victoria Thursday, endingthe heat wave. The front will produce locally heavy rainfall, so flash floodingand mudslides in the burn area could become a problem.
Story by Accuweather.com Senior Meteorologist Dave Samuhel
