ANOTHER heatwave is spreading across the southern half of Australia this week, challenging records and elevating fire danger ratings in parts of NSW and surrounding states.
A broad mass of hot air that originated in north-western Australia is spreading through NSW this week, along a slow-moving trough of low pressure.
This hot air is producing severe to locally extreme heatwave conditions across most of state, with some areas challenging single and multi-day heat records, during both days and nights.
This heatwave will persist in NSW until a cool change slowly spreads across the state from the southwest between Friday and Sunday.
Consecutive hot days and warm nights pose a risk to the health and wellbeing of some people and animals.
During these multi-day hot spells, it’s important to limit exposure to the heat and avoid strenuous activities where possible, particularly during the middle of the day.
This week’s burst of summery weather is the latest in a series of heatwaves that have affected Australia since late December.
Shortly after Christmas, Marble Bar registered its highest temperature on record when the mercury hit 49.3 degrees on December 27.
A few days later, Alice Springs experienced an unprecedented 45.6 degrees on December 29. This record-breaking temperature was repeated just five days later on January 3.
More recently, a new high minimum-temperature record for NSW of 34.6 degrees was registered at Borrona Downs between Tibooburra and Wanaaring on December 14.
- Visit the Rural Fire Service website for the latest information on fire danger ratings and alerts.