A cool southerly change is sweeping up the NSW coast after the state endured a summer scorcher, with temperatures climbing into the mid-40s.
Residents were urged to check on vulnerable friends and neighbours on Saturday as much of NSW sweated it out under a dome of heat that had spread across the continent from the west in recent days.
Temperatures in Penrith and Richmond in Sydney's outer west climbed to 43C in the late afternoon, with Badgerys Creek hitting 44C just after 4pm - the highest temperature recorded in the city.
