Australia’s next summer isn’t guaranteed to be the hottest yet – but it’s looking likely | Milton Speer and Lance M Leslie
Key takeaways
- Country Fire Authority members at work in Alexandra, Victoria, in January 2026.
- Many parts of Australia have already broken early winter maximum and minimum temperature records.
- In southern Australia, Sydney and Melbourne had their warmest-ever starts to winter.
Why this matters: environmental and climate reporting with long-term consequences.
Country Fire Authority members at work in Alexandra, Victoria, in January 2026. Forecasters warn that south-east Australia should expect hotter, drier conditions next summer. Photograph: SOPA Images/Light Rocket/Getty Images View image in fullscreen Country Fire Authority members at work in Alexandra, Victoria, in January 2026. Forecasters warn that south-east Australia should expect hotter, drier conditions next summer. Photograph: SOPA Images/Light Rocket/Getty Images The Conversation Climate crisisAustralia’s next summer isn’t guaranteed to be the hottest yet – but it’s looking likelyMilton Speer and Lance M Leslie for the ConversationA warm start to winter is part of a global trend of extreme and unseasonable temperatures caused by global heating
Many parts of Australia have already broken early winter maximum and minimum temperature records.
In southern Australia, Sydney and Melbourne had their warmest-ever starts to winter. Daily observations show both cities experienced above-average June temperatures almost every day of the month.