Sydney residents can expect some relief from scorching pre-Christmas temperatures on Tuesday afternoon with a cool change on the way for parts of the city.
Western Sydney suburbs felt the brunt of Tuesday’s heatwave, with the mercury forecast to reach almost 40C in Penrith, Parramatta, Liverpool and Campbelltown.
But the chance of a severe thunderstorm in the late afternoon and evening should bring in a cooler change.
Smoke from fires burning in the state’s north is now spreading across the north-west of NSW, into the Hunter region and down into the greater Sydney area.
NSW RFS said the smoke was expected to clear later this afternoon when the forecast southerly winds move through the state.
At 7 am there were 63 fires burning across NSW, with more than 450 personnel on the ground.
There is an emergency warning current for people in Duck Creek Pilliga Forest urging residents to take shelter immediately.
“A fire-generated thunderstorm has formed causing dangerous fire behaviour,” NSW RFS said.
“If you are in Baan Baa, Willala or Goolhi your life is at risk. Seek shelter now.”
The maximum temperature on Wednesday was expected to hit 23C, with a high chance of showers.
The cooler conditions are expected to stay for the rest of the week, with showers and storms possible on Christmas Day for much of coastal NSW, including Sydney, and an onshore wind bringing partly or mostly cloudy conditions. The city is forecast to have a top of 26C.
“With Christmas still a week away, the forecast is subject to change,” senior meteorologist Angus Hines said on Monday.
“However Australia can start preparing for the festive season with the likely weather in mind.”
With AAP
