Heatwave descends on south-east Australia with temperatures forecast to exceed 40C

Bureau of Meteorology says Melbourne's hot weather will peak at 38C on Saturday while Penrith will reach 39C on Sunday and 40C on Monday

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Much of south-east Australia will swelter through a heatwave over the weekend that is expected to exceed 40C in some places, bringing extreme fire danger before a cool change comes through.

Melbourne was expected to peak at 38C on Saturday, reaching 37C on Sunday and dropping to 22C by Monday as the cool change brings widespread showers.

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