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Residents across Western Australia are bracing for scorching temperatures today, with the mercury forecast to pass 40 degrees in large parts of the state.
The Bureau of Meteorology has issued an extreme heatwave warning for areas of the Gascoyne region, while a severe alert is in place for much of the west coast,
Temperatures are forecast to soar into the high thirties and low-to-mid forties. They will remain for much of the week.
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Perth CBD is heading for a maximum of 39 degrees today, while Midland will sweat through 42. The Central West town of Kalbarri can expect a scorching 45 degrees today and tomorrow.
Authorities have issued a total fire ban for the south-west regions of Collie, Dardanup, Harvey, Waroona, Boyup Brook, Bridgetown Greenbushes and Donnybrook Balingup.
Residents can expect little relief at night, with the conditions remaining above 25 degrees in many parts.
The extreme heat is forecast to last for the next three days until cooler conditions begin on Saturday.
Meanwhile, eastern states can expect a mini heatwave on the weekend.
Victoria's mild mid-summer will be interrupted on Sunday by sweltering conditions in Melbourne and much of the state.
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Residents in Melbourne are heading for a maximum temperature of 38 degrees, while the mercury will peak at 43 degrees at Mildura in the state's north west.
Hot weather is also coming to New South Wales over the weekend and into the new week with Penrith in Sydney's west expected to reach 41 degrees on Sunday.
Elsewhere in the state, temperatures should reach 42 degrees that day across the Riverina region and as high as 44 degrees in the Lower Western forecast district.
