As temperatures soar into the mid-40s in parts of Sydney, residents have been warned to brace for the most intense heatwave since 2013.
Temperatures are forecast to hit 40C in Sydney’s inner city while people in the western suburbs have been warned to prepare for a 45°C day.
The mercury in Sydney is tipped to rise to just shy of the city’s 45.8C record for a January day – just two degrees short of the all-time record of 47.8C set in 1939.
Masses of Sydneysiders are headed to the beach to cool off as an extreme heatwave takes hold
People taking to the ocean to beat the heat have been warned to be careful while in the water
Surf Life Saving NSW has implored people heading to the beach to take care given there have been ten drownings since the beginning of December 2017.
Asthma sufferers in particular are being urged to stay indoors as the relentless heatwave continues to oppress the east coast of Australia and dramatically drive up levels of ozone pollution.
Total fire bans are in place for Sydney and the Hunter region, with a ‘severe fire danger rating’ in place for the entirety of the greater Sydney region.
Meanwhile, the NSW Rural Fire Service is warning residents to prepare their bushfire plans, reminding people considering evacuation that ‘leaving early’ is always better.
NSW Health has warned people to drink plenty of water and limit their time outdoors because of a rise in ozone pollution as a result of the hot, still weather.
Sydney is forecast to have poor air quality on Sunday which can especially affect people with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
However, a cool front is expected to bring cooler conditions to coastal areas during the afternoon and through the west in the evening.
Nevertheless, forecaster Helen Reed has told people to prepare for a hot, dry day.
Meteorologists have warned residents to prepare for a hot, dry day as temperatures hit 45C
Heading to the beach is a good way to beat the heat as a coastal cool change will bring relief
‘We do have a southerly change moving it’s way up the coast during the afternoon,’ she told ABC. ‘It’s expected to come through Sydney at 3:00pm or 4:00pm.’
Meanwhile, environmental health director Dr Ben Scalley reminded people in a statement on Saturday that ozone levels are higher outdoors than indoors.
‘Limiting time outside during the heat of the day and in the evening would help people to keep cool and to limit their exposure to ozone pollution,’ he said.
Dr Scalley also warned of the dangers of a heatwave which put strain on the body, can cause dehydration, heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
NSW Police Deputy Commissioner Catherine Burn on Saturday revealed the state’s heatwave plan had been activated to ensure a coordinated response from emergency services.
‘We know over the next two or three days we’re going to experience severe to extreme heat conditions throughout NSW,’ she said.
She also strongly cautioned people against leaving children or pets in vehicles, which is a federal offence and can be fatal: ‘Cars become a furnace very, very quickly in this type of heat.’
NSW Health has warned people to drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration and heat stroke
Police advised motorists to avoid using the right hand lane of Hume Highway in Broadford, VIC
Australians are strongly advised to limit the time spent outside during extreme daytime heat
Map shows the area where residents were ordered to leave after a bushfire threatened homes
Drivers are also warned to avoid stretches of the Hume Highway in Victoria as the scorching temperatures caused parts of the road to start melting.
Authorities are particularity concerned with water safety given the recent spate of near-drownings – a 48-year-old is fighting for his life after he was found face down in the water at Sandon Point Beach on Saturday.
In a separate incident, a 35-year-old man was taken to hospital in a stable condition after being pulled semi-conscious from the Hawkesbury River at Lower Portland.
Meanwhile in Victoria, a15-year-old girl has been charged over a bushfire on Saturday which took 300 firefighters to put out.
The teenager was charged with intentionally starting the blaze, but has received bail to reappear in a children’s court at a later date.
About 30 residents in Carrum Downs, in southeast Melbourne, were evacuated on Saturday during the fire, while emergency services battled through the night to contain it.
A teenage girl has been charged with intentionally setting a bushfire in Melbourne on Saturday