Worst is yet to come: People urged to stay indoors as temps climb towards 50C
Australia’s scorching summer will continue for the next couple of days following a day of extreme heatwave conditions on Wednesday which pushed temperatures in some regions to 80-year highs.
Much of NSW baked in extreme heat yesterday but any chance of a reprieve seems unlikely, with experts predicting that the worst is yet to come.
As the brutal conditions continue to smash records, NSW Health are now urging people to limit their time outside to avoid the heat and exposure to ozone pollution.
“Ozone levels are higher outdoors than indoors, and generally highest in the afternoon and early evening, so limiting time outdoors during the heat of the day and in the evening helps people to not only keep cool, but to limit their exposure to ozone pollution,” NSW Health environmental health director Richard Broome said.
Record heat in South Australia moved into much of western and central NSW, which saw temperatures in the high 40s across much of those areas on Wednesday, a Bureau of Meteorology spokesman told AAP.
However the majority of the state is forecast to exceed 41 degrees until Friday, something the Bureau says hasn’t been experienced since the 1940s.
Whitecliff in the northwest, recorded the highest temperature so far with 48.2C just before 3.30pm on Wednesday.
By midday on Wednesday, the mercury had soared beyond 45C across much of NSW’s central west and at 3pm Wilcannia, Mulurulu, Ivanhoe and Hay topped 47C.
Records have already tumbled but the high intensity #heatwave hammering #NSW & #Canberra hasn't peaked yet. Numerous people have already needed medical help & fire bans are in place in #NSW & #ACT. Your area is here https://t.co/Tuf5pFK11c @NSWRFS @nswpolice @NSWHealth @ACT_ESA pic.twitter.com/YGhsC2W6S7
— Bureau of Meteorology, New South Wales (@BOM_NSW) January 16, 2019
Extreme heat is forecast until Saturday for NSW and the ACT, however a cooler change is expected for coastal communities in South Australia, Victoria and Tasmania on Friday.
More hospital admissions were expected with authorities warning health issues were more likely after several days of sustained hot weather.
Over the past three days maximum temperatures across South Australia have been running 10 to 14 degrees above average.
Some regional centres posted record highs on Tuesday, including Port Augusta and Tarcoola where the mercury climbed to 49 and 48.9 respectively, all-time highs for those areas.
Tarcoola is expected to reach 47 on Thursday.
While in Melbourne’s CBD the mercury only reached 26.7 on Wednesday, elsewhere in Victoria reached the mid 40s.
In Mallee, Swan Hill reached 45.9 just before 5pm – just 0.3 degrees off the area’s January record.
Mildura hit 45.4 and is expected to be almost as hot on Thursday.
In Queensland, Ballera and Birdsville both hit 45.3C after 2pm and Windora was 43.3C just after 4pm.
Train tracks could buckle in the heat
Sydney rail commuters are being warned there could be delays across the network as temperatures rise.
There is a chance the extreme heat could see the steel tracks buckle, with Transport Minister Andrew Constance warning train commuters to expect some fallout.
Air-conditioned trains scheduled for routine checks have been returned to service, while extra maintenance and medical staff are on stand-by.
South Aussies hanging out for a cool change
South Australians are hanging out for a cool change after a record-breaking heatwave that has produced temperatures close to 50 degrees in some country centres.
The record-breaking heatwave has seen 16 people with heat-related conditions present at hospital emergency departments in the 24 hours to Wednesday evening, with seven admitted for further treatment.
The Bureau of Meteorology forecasts the very hot conditions will continue on Thursday before a late change brings relief to South Australia’s coastal regions.
Adelaide will have a top of 37C but in the north of the state maximums will remain in the mid to high 40s.
On Friday the city should have a more tolerable top of 29C.
Over the past three days, maximum temperatures across South Australia have been running 10 to 14 degrees above average.
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