Parts of eastern Australia including Sydney are in for a scorcher on Friday due to a slow moving high pressure area prevailing in the region. The temperature in Sydney is expected to soar to 41°C on Friday. This will be very close to the temperature back in November 1982, when the mercury had hit 41.8°C.
The scenario suggests that the heat could be either record leveling or record breaking. If the sea breezes are not allowed to make inroads then the temperature will be mostly uniform across the region.
In Bondi, the temperature is expected to reach 41°C and same goes for Penrith which is around 50 km to the west of Bondi. A 40 plus temperature reading will make it the hottest three-day spell in 79 years.
People in Sydney can expect some relief from the scorching heat between 8 pm and 9 pm on Friday, with strong cool breeze reaching 55 kmph along the coast.
Maroubra Beach at 1pm as temps soar in #Sydney. Pics for @smh @photosSMH @GoProANZ #Australia #sydneyheat #surfing pic.twitter.com/Y1ouuVK8gn
— Dallas Kilponen (@dallaskilponen) November 20, 2015
Increase in Fire Risks
Most parts of New South Wales are likely to witness temperatures in the lower forties. This will increase the risk of wild fires across the region. The influx of strong southerly winds might complicate the efforts to control any fire. This situation is very classic, hot westerly winds giving way to blustery southerly winds.
Total fire bans will be in place for Riverina on Friday and similar bans will be in place for Illawarra/Shoalhaven and southern ranges.
People in the region have been advised to avoid going outdoors, refrain from doing strenuous exercises and to have plenty of fluids.
Image credit: sbbcnews.com
