Summer heat scorches much of Australia as forecast cool change in Victoria prompts fire risk warning

Temperatures soared over 30C in five state/territory capital cities including Adelaide, Perth, Melbourne, Canberra and Darwin on Monday. Photograph: Steve Markham/AAP

Victorians sweltering through their first heatwave of the summer have been warned of possible “catastrophic” bushfires when a dramatic cool change hits on Tuesday, as much of Australia experienced a hot start to the week.

Temperatures soared over 30C in five of the nations’s state/territory capitals on Monday, including Adelaide, Perth, Melbourne, Canberra and Darwin.