Sydney experiences unusual autumn heatwave

Sydney is experiencing an unusual autumn heatwave, with temperatures reaching 40C in some parts of the city. The high levels of air conditioner use in response to the heat have raised concerns about potential blackouts due to pressure on energy supplies.

The hot weather is expected to continue throughout the night, with temperatures predicted to remain in the high-20s at midnight. The mercury is set to drop slightly on Tuesday but will remain in the high 20s for the rest of the week, with possible showers forecast on Saturday. Cooler southerly winds are expected to arrive on Wednesday.

At 11 am AEDT on Monday, temperatures had already hit 34C in western Sydney, 33C at the airport, and just over 31C in the city. Bourke in the northwest recorded the highest temperature at 35.8C. The hot and windy weather has increased fire danger warnings across the state, with 37 fires already burning and total fire bans declared in seven of the state’s 21 fire districts until midnight on Monday.

The four-day forecast for capital cities across Australia includes sunny weather in Perth and Darwin, with possible showers in Melbourne and Adelaide. Sydney will experience a sunny day on Monday, partly cloudy on Tuesday, and sunny weather again on Wednesday. Brisbane will have partly cloudy days on Monday and Wednesday and a sunny day on Tuesday.

Canberra will have a sunny day on Monday, followed by partly cloudy days on Tuesday and Wednesday. Hobart will experience showers, becoming windy on Tuesday and a shower or two on Wednesday. The Bureau of Meteorology provided this information.