Large parts of Australia are bracing for severe to extreme heatwave conditions, with temperatures in western Sydney expected to reach the low 40s by Saturday. The Bureau of Meteorology 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 began on Thursday and is forecast to peak on Friday and Saturday in NSW, with highs in the high 30s to low 40s. Senior meteorologist Christie Johnson warned that extreme heat is dangerous for everyone, even healthy people, and that the cumulative effect over three days poses the greatest health risk. Vulnerable groups, including the elderly, pregnant women, babies, and those with medical conditions, are most at risk in severe heatwave areas.
Affected areas in NSW include Sydney, Newcastle, Batemans Bay, Gosford, Camden, Mona Vale, Nowra, Richmond, and Wollongong. Johnson advised residents to stay cool by using fans or air conditioning, or visiting air-conditioned public places like shopping centres or libraries. Keeping blinds down and windows closed from early morning can help keep heat out.
In Western Australia, severe heatwave 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. These conditions are expected to persist for much of the next week. In the Northern Territory, severe warnings are in place for the Daly, Tiwi, and Gregory regions, though conditions on the Tiwi Islands should ease by the weekend.
A cool change is expected to arrive in NSW late Saturday into Sunday morning. The Bureau noted that Australia's average temperature is about 1.5°C higher than in 1910, with climate change increasing the frequency and severity of extreme weather events.
