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

Five capitals swelter through 30C-plus temperatures as dramatic cool change forecast to sweep Melbourne and regional Victoria on Tuesday

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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.

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