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A heatwave has hit the east coast that will last for days and bring temperatures of almost 40C, with warnings issued for an elevated risk of blackouts.
On Monday, the Bureau of Meteorology issued a severe heatwave warning for eastern parts of New South Wales.
Sydney is adjusting to back-to-back sweltering days, with temperatures in the city’s west reaching 35 degrees on Monday and 38C on Tuesday.
The heat will be worse on Wednesday, when it is expected to reach 39C.
These unusually hot days are 6 to 10°C warmer than the typical seasonal average.
In Sydney, the most popular suburbs will be Batemans Bay, Bowral, Camden, Campbelltown, Hornsby, Liverpool, Nowra, Penrith, Parramatta, Richmond and Scone.
Other areas of the state expected to be affected include the Hunter region, Illawarra, the South Coast and Southern Tablelands.
Australia’s energy market operator has issued warnings of possible blackouts from Tuesday afternoon as demand for electricity increases due to the widespread use of air conditioners in response to the heat.
Compounding the problem, at least one generating unit at three of New South Wales’ four coal-fired power stations is currently out of service for maintenance or repairs.
Sydney prepares for a heat wave that will last from Monday to Wednesday
Temperatures will remain above 35C for much of the time in parts of New South Wales.
“High temperatures and strong demand for electricity, combined with some generation outages, are leading to tight forecasts for electricity supply in New South Wales tomorrow and Wednesday afternoon,” an AEMO spokesperson said.
“AEMO also forecasts electricity reserves in Queensland will be tight on Wednesday.”
Meanwhile, those living in Victoria and the ACT may also notice the days getting hotter as the heatwave heads south towards the end of the week.
The Bureau warned anyone living in the affected areas to seek shelter and stay safe.
“Severe heatwaves can be dangerous for many people, especially older people, babies, children, pregnant and lactating women, people with medical conditions and people who are unwell,” a spokesperson said.
‘Find a place to stay cool, such as your home, a library, a community center or a shopping mall.
‘Close windows and draw blinds, curtains or awnings early in the day to keep heat out of your home.
“If available, use fans or air conditioners to keep cool.”
From Thursday, rain will replace the heat and rain is expected to soak both Victoria and New South Wales over the weekend.
Rain to soak state Thursday just in time for weekend
Sydney
Tuesday: Mostly sunny. Winds from the northeast at 15 to 20 km/h, becoming light before dawn and then from the northeast at 20 to 30 km/h in the middle of the day. Min. 20°C Max. 31°C
Wednesday: Sunny morning. Average chance of showers in the afternoon and evening. Winds will be light from the north, 15 to 25 km/h during the day and then become light at night. Minimum 21°C Maximum 33°C.
Thursday: Partly cloudy. High probability of rain. The probability of a storm in the outer west. Light winds that become from the south to southeast at 15 to 20 km/h during the afternoon and then become light at night. Minimum 22°C Maximum 29°C.
Senior meteorologist Sarah Scully said the heat was caused by tropical humidity.
Melbourne
Tuesday: Partly cloudy. Average chance of showers. The possibility of a storm. Light winds. Minimum 17°C Maximum 26°C.
Wednesday: Partly cloudy. High probability of showers, more likely in the morning and afternoon. The possibility of a storm. Winds from the north to northeast at 15 to 20 km/h turning northwest at 25 to 35 km/h during the day and then trending northwest to southwest at 15 to 20 km/h during the night. Minimum 19°C Maximum 27°C.
Thursday: Partly cloudy. Average chance of showers, more likely in the morning and afternoon. Winds from the northwest to southwest at 15 to 20 km/h, trending south to southwest at 15 to 25 km/h during the morning and then trending south to southeast at 15 to 20 km/h during the night. Minimum 17°C Maximum 24°C.
brisbane
Tuesday: Partly cloudy. Slight chance of showers, more likely in the morning. Winds will be light from the northeast at 15 to 20 km/h in the early afternoon and then become light in the evening. Minimum 19°C Maximum 29°C.
Wednesday: Partly cloudy. Average chance of showers, more likely in the morning and afternoon. Winds will be light northeasterly at 15 to 20 km/h during the day and then become light overnight. Minimum 20°C Maximum 30°C.
Thursday: Partly cloudy. Average chance of showers. Light northeasterly winds at 15 to 20 km/h during the day and then light at night. Minimum 22°C Maximum 30°C.
Canberra
Tuesday: Partly cloudy. Average chance of showers, more likely in the afternoon and evening. The possibility of a storm. Light northwest winds of 20 to 30 km/h in the morning and then light at night. Minimum 16°C Maximum 31°C.
Wednesday: Partly cloudy. High probability of rain, more likely in the afternoon and evening. The possibility of a storm. Winds will be light from the northwest at 20 to 30 km/h during the morning and then become light overnight. Minimum 17°C Maximum 31°C.
Thursday: Partly cloudy. High probability of rain, more likely in the afternoon and evening. The possibility of a storm. Winds will be light from the northwest at 20 to 30 km/h during the morning and then become light overnight. Minimum 17°C Maximum 31°C.
The Bureau warned anyone living in the affected areas to seek shelter and stay safe during the heat wave.
Adelaide
Tuesday: Partly cloudy. Average chance of rain, most likely in the late afternoon and evening. The possibility of a storm. Light winds becoming northwest to northeast at 15 to 20 km/h in the morning and then trending west to northwest at 15 to 25 km/h in the middle of the day. Minimum 17°C Maximum 32°C.
Wednesday: Partly cloudy. Average chance of showers, most likely in the morning. Winds from the west to northwest at 20 to 30 km/h turning southwest at 25 to 35 km/h during the afternoon. Minimum 15°C Maximum 24°C.
Thursday: Cloudy. Slight chance of showers in the morning. Winds from the south at 20 to 30 km/h. Minimum 13°C Maximum 23°C.
Darwin
Tuesday: Partly cloudy. High probability of rain, more likely in the late morning and afternoon. The possibility of a storm. Light winds. Minimum 26°C Maximum 32°C.
Wednesday: Partly cloudy. High probability of showers, more likely in the morning and afternoon. The possibility of a storm. Light winds. Minimum 26°C Maximum 33°C.
Thursday: Partly cloudy. High probability of showers, more likely in the morning and afternoon. The possibility of a storm. Light winds. Minimum 26°C Maximum 33°C.
Perth
Tuesday: Sunny. Winds from the southeast at 20 to 30 km/h. Minimum 11°C Maximum 26°C.
Wednesday: Sunny. Winds from the east to southeast at 20 to 30 km/h. Minimum 12°C Maximum 29°C.
Thursday: Sunny. East winds of 20 to 30 km/h becoming light during the afternoon. Minimum 17°C Maximum 32°C.
hobart
Tuesday: Partly cloudy. Light winds that will reach the southeast at 15 to 25 km/h in the early afternoon and then become light at night. Minimum 13°C Maximum 23°C.
Wednesday: Cloudy. High probability of rain. Light winds turning from the south to southeast at 15 to 25 km/h during the afternoon. Minimum 14°C Maximum 22°C.
Thursday: Cloudy. Average chance of showers, more likely in the morning and afternoon. Winds from the south at 20 to 30 km/h turning southeast at 15 to 20 km/h during the afternoon. Minimum 12°C Maximum 17°C.