Australia faces extreme weather Friday with scorching heat in the south and severe storms in the north

Australians will face a mix of searing heat, severe storms, and a tropical low on Friday, as summer continues to push the nation’s weather to its extremes.

A severe heatwave warning in WA covers the Gascoyne and Central West regions, including Carnarvon and Coral Bay, with temperatures reaching 42C in Newman, 39C in Karratha, and 37C between Exmouth and Geraldton. Perth saw a hot 32C on Thursday, with slightly cooler conditions along the coast.

Meanwhile, fires continue to burn across Deep Creek on the Fleurieu Peninsula south of Adelaide, affecting about 3400 hectares and destroying at least three structures.

Firefighters also captured dramatic footage of a “fire devil” spinning through the smoke.

The SA Country Fire Service warned the fire would likely continue to burn erratically.

“(The) community are reminded to stay out of the current warning area where possible,” a statement read. “Anyone within the impacted area will be allowed to leave via the closed roads but will not be able to return until they are reopened.

“Given the unpredictable nature of this fire, any road closures could change at short notice.”

Temperatures in South Australia have hit 41C in Roxby Downs and 40C in Marree and Coober Pedy, while coastal areas have been milder, reaching 32C in Adelaide and 25C in Mount Gambier.

Victoria also felt the heat on Thursday, with Mildura in the northwest and Albury-Wodonga on the NSW-Victoria border reaching 37C.

Central Victoria has seen the mid-30s, while Melbourne has remained cooler at 23C.

NSW has experienced a hot and sunny Thursday, with most urban centres in the 30s and inland areas reaching the upper 30s. Sydney has tipped to 33C, while Bourke, Broken Hill, and Dubbo have reached 38C.

Thunderstorms are possible in the afternoon for parts of the state.

“The vast majority of the day will be sunny, but as we get into the afternoon, a little bit of cloud will build and that will bring a low risk of a shower or thunderstorm to areas south of Sydney and also across our western districts,” Bureau of Meteorology senior meteorologist Angus Hines said.

“But you’d be pretty unlucky if you happened to get some rain.”

A phenomenon known as a 'fire devil' was captured among the fire ground at Deep Creek in the Fleurieu Peninsula by the Morphett Vale CFS.

Looking ahead to Friday and the weekend, Bureau meteorologist Dean Narramore said Australians should expect a dramatic contrast between the north and south.

“Firstly, we can see widespread rain and storms across northern and Central Australia.

“Also, we’ve got to keep close eyes on a tropical low near the Kimberley Coast, and that’ll be moving off the Pilbro coast later on Friday into Saturday,” Mr Narramore said.

“Further south, high pressure is dominating the weather right across southern parts of the country. Maybe a weak front will bring some showers to coastal parts of Tasmania. “Pretty mild and dry conditions for much of us across the east coast, while over on the west coast, a west coast trough is bringing hot and sunny conditions there.”

In Queensland, widespread showers and thunderstorms will hit northern and western regions, with heavy rain and severe storms possible in far southwest Queensland Friday into Friday night.

Meanwhile, the southern inland will be hot and sunny, with highs in the high 30s, and southeastern Queensland will see fine and partly cloudy conditions, 31C in Brisbane.

In NSW, much of the state will enjoy sunshine and partly cloudy skies, with high 20s to low 30s along the coast and highs in the high 30s inland and in the far west.

Sydney can expect 31C with partly cloudy skies, and Canberra 37C.

Some showers and thunderstorms may develop in northern and inland areas Friday afternoon and evening, while coastal areas remain mostly dry.

Victoria will experience warm, dry, and sunny conditions, with low to mid-20s in the south and mid to high 30s north of the ranges, reaching up to 39C in the far northwest. Melbourne is expected to be sunny at 25C.

Tasmania will remain mild, with low to mid-20s in eastern and northern areas. A weak front may bring a few showers to western and southwestern parts during the afternoon and evening.

In South Australia, the north will face a trough system bringing moderate to heavy rainfall and severe storms, especially into the weekend, while southern regions remain dry, sunny, and warm, with Adelaide at 33C.

Western Australia will see building heat in inland areas and the southwest land division, with hot and stormy conditions in the Kimberley and northern WA.

West coastal areas will be hot, dry, and sunny, with Perth reaching 35C.

Across the Northern Territory, widespread showers and thunderstorms are expected from Cape York through The Gulf and Kimberley, with severe storms and heavy falls possible in the south. Darwin is forecast at 32C with showers and thunderstorms.

Australians are being urged to stay updated with forecasts as conditions vary dramatically from heatwaves and bushfires in the south to stormy and wet weather in the north.