This summer, parts of Victoria face an increased risk of heatwaves and bushfires.
Both are more likely this season following dry and warm conditions, combined with a warmer than average outlook for the months ahead.
BoM defines heatwaves as three or more days of high maximum and minimum temperatures that are unusual for that location.
BoM produces heatwave forecast maps for the next five three-day periods showing areas where heatwave conditions are forecast to occur.
The Heatwave Service operates between October and March.
Heatwaves are divided into three categories: low-intensity, severe, and extreme.
The bulk of heatwaves at each location are of low intensity, with most people expected to have adequate capacity to cope with this level of heat.
Less frequent, higher intensity heatwaves are classified as severe and will be challenging for vulnerable people, such as those over 65, pregnant women, babies and young children, and those with a chronic illness.
Even rarer and exceptionally intense heatwaves are classed as extreme and will impact normally reliable infrastructure, such as power and transport.
Extreme heatwaves are a risk for anyone who does not take precautions to keep cool, even those who are healthy.
In southern Australia, the bushfire season peaks in summer and autumn, however, local conditions can drive dangerous bushfire activity at other times.
Weather conditions influence the size, intensity, speed, and predictability of bushfires and how dangerous they can be to the community.
When the weather is hot, the humidity is low and there's been little recent rain, this vegetation dries out and becomes more flammable.
A fire is more likely to start and continue to burn, in hot, dry and windy weather.
During droughts and in very hot, windy weather, even heavy fuels like large logs and the green leaves and smaller branches of large trees can become dry and flammable.
In the last 200 years, severe and extreme heatwaves have taken more lives than any other natural hazard in Australia.
For example, during the 2009 Victorian bushfires, 173 people perished as a direct result of the fires; however, 374 people lost their lives in the heatwave that occurred before the bushfires.
Climate projections show that extreme heat events are expected to occur more often and with greater intensity in the future.