Capital cities expecting hot public holiday as Melbourne braces for 41C

Most of Australia’s capital cities were expecting temperatures above 30C on Monday. Photograph: Mike Bowers/The Guardian

Multiple heatwave and bushfire warnings are in place for the Australia Day public holiday, with every Australian capital city expecting maximum temperatures above 30C and Melbourne forecast for a scorcher.

On Monday Melbourne was forecast to hit 41C before a late cool change. Sydney was due for 31C, Brisbane 30C, Adelaide 35C, Perth 32C and Hobart 32C.