Sydney has recorded its highest temperature in nearly two years as parts of Australia endure intense heatwaves and bushfires, with fire authorities battling blazes in Tasmania and New South Wales.
On Friday, temperatures in Sydney’s Central Business District (CBD) reached 37.8°C—the highest since January 2024—while Penrith in the city’s west recorded a scorching 40.3°C, marking the hottest day since January 2025. The heatwave is expected to peak on Saturday, with temperatures forecast to reach 37°C in Sydney and 41°C in Penrith. This could be the first time since November 2020 that Sydney experiences consecutive 37°C days.
Heatwave warnings are in effect for parts of New South Wales, Queensland, the Northern Territory, and Western Australia. Extreme heatwave warnings have also been issued for the Pilbara, Kimberley, and North Interior regions of Western Australia.
Meanwhile, Tasmania is battling a massive bushfire at Dolphin Sands, located on the island’s east coast. The fire has already destroyed 19 homes, 15 outbuildings, and four vehicles, and downed 30 power poles, leaving many in the region without electricity, possibly for up to a week. A separate fire near Hobart eased enough for residents to return, though locals in Levendale, north of Hobart, were warned to remain vigilant due to rapidly changing conditions.
In New South Wales, fire crews have been working hard to control multiple bushfires. The Rural Fire Service has declared a total fire ban for nine regions, including areas of Sydney, due to forecast hot and windy conditions on Saturday. A fire near Bulahdelah on the mid-north coast forced the closure of a 100-kilometre stretch of the Pacific Highway, though traffic was able to resume later on Friday.
The Bureau of Meteorology reports that temperatures across Sydney reached 37.8°C by Friday afternoon, with areas like Penrith, Richmond, and Badgerys Creek soaring above 39°C. Farther west, temperatures hit 40°C in Bourke and Walgett. The heatwave has also brought dry lightning, raising concerns that new fires could start.
Severe heatwave warnings are in place for the Hunter, metropolitan, Illawarra, central tablelands, and southern tablelands regions of New South Wales. The Snowy Mountains region’s earlier heatwave warning was downgraded to severe.
The climate crisis has led to more frequent and intense extreme weather events across Australia, with temperatures now averaging 1.5°C higher than they were in 1910. As the weekend heatwave peaks, the Bureau warns that high minimum temperatures and the risk of dry lightning could lead to further fire outbreaks.
By Sunday, a cool change is expected to bring light showers and a drop in temperature, but not before the full force of the heatwave affects much of the country.
Source: TheGuardian.com
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