Western Sydney Braces for Scorching 40+ Degree Heat.

Western Sydney is in for a scorcher today, with temperatures set to climb over 40 degrees. The mercury is expected to hit 42 degrees in Penrith and Richmond, 40 degrees in Liverpool and Blacktown, and 37 degrees in Hornsby. While the eastern parts of Sydney will be slightly cooler, they’ll still feel the heat with a forecast high of 33 degrees.

This comes on the back of heatwave conditions hitting parts of the country over the weekend. Western New South Wales sweltered, and Melbourne also recorded temperatures soaring past 40 degrees yesterday. Some areas experienced heat as much as 10 to 12 degrees above the norm.

Senior meteorologist Angus Hines from the Bureau of Meteorology noted that parts of Victoria and South Australia had seen temperatures spike 15 to 20 degrees higher than average.

The extreme heat has led to a surge in electricity demand across the east coast, the highest seen since January 2020. Authorities have flagged the possibility of blackouts if the demand continues.

But there’s some relief in sight! A southerly change is expected to sweep through the Illawarra, Sydney, and Hunter regions by this evening, dropping temperatures by 5 to 15 degrees. The cool change, however, may bring its own risks, with severe storms predicted in the Illawarra and NSW South Coast. These storms could bring damaging winds and hail.

Make sure to stay informed by checking for updates on the Bureau of Meteorology website. Stay cool, stay safe, and keep an eye on the weather!