Communities across large parts of Australia are being urged to take precautions as severe and extreme heatwave conditions hit, with western Sydney expected to reach the low 40s Celsius by Saturday. The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) has issued heatwave warnings for New South Wales, Western Australia, and the Northern Territory, including an extreme warning for the NSW south coast, the highest risk category.
The heatwave in NSW is forecast to peak on Friday and Saturday, with temperatures in the high 30s and low 40s in some areas. The BoM issues warnings when both maximum and minimum temperatures are unusually hot for three or more days. Affected areas include Sydney, Newcastle, Batemans Bay, Gosford, Camden, Mona Vale, Nowra, Richmond, and Wollongong.
Senior meteorologist Christie Johnson said extreme heat is dangerous for everyone, even healthy people, and that the cumulative effect makes the third day most dangerous. Vulnerable groups include the elderly, pregnant women, babies, children, and those with medical conditions. She advised staying cool indoors, using fans or air conditioners, or visiting air-conditioned public places like shopping centres or libraries.
In Western Australia, severe warnings cover the Kimberley, Pilbara, and north interior regions, with temperatures from the high 30s to mid 40s and overnight lows in the mid to high 20s. In the Northern Territory, severe warnings are in place for the Daly, Tiwi, and Gregory regions, though conditions on the Tiwi Islands are expected to ease by the weekend. Alice Springs may reach 37°C on Thursday and the low 40s on Friday and Saturday, but no warning is issued as the duration is under three days.
A cool change is expected in NSW late Saturday into Sunday. The BoM noted that Australia's annual average temperature is about 1.5°C higher than in 1910, with climate change increasing the frequency and severity of extreme weather events.
