SEVERE thunderstorms and a severe heatwave will affect parts of NSW during the second half of this week.
A large pool of hot air from central Australia will sweep over NSW during the coming days, ahead of a broad low pressure trough.
Earlier this week, the temperature reached the low forties in Alice Springs for three days in a row.
This heat will sweep across NSW between Wednesday and Friday, sending the mercury soaring in the state’s north and west.
Thursday will be the hottest day of the week for many parts of the state, with temperatures climbing six to 12 degrees above average in many areas.
Bourke could reach the low to mid forties for three days in a row and may get close the Airport’s December record of 46.3 degrees on Thursday.
Many areas in northern NSW will experience a severe heatwave between Wednesday and Friday as both maximum and minimum temperatures remain well above average.
While severe heatwaves are generally not life threatening, they can be challenging for vulnerable people, such as the elderly, pregnant women, young children and people with a chronic illness.
The passage of the trough across NSW will also help trigger showers and thunderstorms, some of which are likely to become severe.
Showers and storms are likely near the coast, ranges, western slopes and northern plains on Thursday.
Severe storms are likely to develop in multiple districts and could produce heavy rain, flash flooding and large hail. Supercell thunderstorms are also possible in some areas.
Showers and storms will develop on and near the ranges again on Friday and Saturday, but will become more confined to north-eastern parts of the state and less likely in the south and west.
By Sunday, the atmosphere will become more stable and storms less likely across most of the state.