Sydney sizzles as three states, territories battle heatwave

Sydney is sweltering through its hottest day since last summer with temperatures reaching 14 degrees above average, while Queensland is also in the grips of a heatwave.

The Bureau of Meteorology's Agata Imielska said while Sunday was a hot day across NSW, Monday afternoon was much warmer due to a north-westerly air mass.

“For eastern Sydney we’re expecting a top of 36 but that maximum temperature is expected a bit later today at about 5pm,” Ms Imeielsa said.

“But Western Sydney, we will see warm temperatures throughout the day with a top of around 40 degrees expected there.”

Sydney Airport reached 39.5 degrees at 3.12pm pm on Monday, while further west Badgerys Creek was 40.6 degrees at 1.41pm. Sydney Olympic Park reached 39 degrees at 2.21pm.

The cool change isn’t expected to arrive until the evening with temperatures dropping “quite significantly” at around midnight.

Weatherzone meteorologist Brett Dutschke told Yahoo News Australia parts of the state including Sydney, Central Coast and the Hunter Region are experiencing temperatures 10-12 above average.

Some are even 13-14 above average including Penrith, west of Sydney’s CBD. Mr Dustschke said Badgerys Creek’s top temperature was 14 above average.

Ms Imielska expects Tamworth, in northern NSW, to hit 38 while the Hunter Region will experience temperatures in the “mid to high 30s”.

Maitland could also reach 38. The town hit 35.6 at about 1.50pm while Scone reached 36.4.

However, the Illawarra Region, south of Sydney, won’t experience as much of a heat rise.

Ms Imielska said the sea breeze will keep areas in the Illawarra Region cooler. Kiama is forecast to reach a top of 29.

Canberra reached a maximum of 28.

Ms Imielska said some areas of Sydney are experiencing temperatures “fairly consistent” with November’s heat.

She added “the last time we saw these temperatures was in February this year”.

There will be some reprieve from the heat though with Sydney’s forecast top on Tuesday just 22 while other areas across the state will hit tops in the mid to low 20s.

Three Australian states, territories cope through heat wave

Spare a thought for other parts of Australia though as Western Australia, the Northern Territory and Queensland become gripped by heatwaves.

Much of Queensland is experiencing a heatwave which should last until Wednesday.

Mr Dustschke said it’s a “very significant heatwave” with areas in the south and southeast of Queensland 5-10 above average on Monday.

“Blackall (in Central West Queensland), is due to hit 41 today,” he said.

“Yesterday it reached 42. It’s had three days of seven degrees above average.

“Emerald in the Central Highlands is very noticeable. Today it’s going to hit 39 and Saturday and Sunday it reached 39 and 38 which is 5-6 above average. That’s following several days where the temperature was actually below average for the area.”

Dirranbani, in the southern part of the state, is forecast to reach 43 on Monday before six days where the lowest max temperature is 37. It’s experiencing a low intensity heatwave.

Normanton, in Far North Queensland, is going through an extreme heatwave with a top of 40 due on Monday followed by six days of temperatures possibly hitting 39 or 40.

In WA, Broome is feeling the brunt of an extreme heatwave as well. At 11.10am (local time) on Monday, it was already about 31. It could reach 36 before six days of maximum temperatures in the mid to low 30s.

Areas east and southeast of Darwin will be feeling it too as they go through a severe heat wave in the NT.

Gunbalanya and Ubirr are set for almost a week of temperatures topping 39-41.

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