Sweltering NSW to hit third hottest day in 150 years tomorrow - 43 degrees

[mistermoose]

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/sweltering-state-braces-for-record-heatwave/story-e6freuy9-1226548550657

SUMMER'S heatwave is heading for the coast, with Sydney set to sizzle in some of its hottest weather since records began.

The mercury is expected to tip a scorching 43C across the city tomorrow - the third-hottest day in 150 years.

Only the 44.2C on New Year's Day 2006, and a record 45.3C recorded in January, 1939, have been hotter.

The heatwave will spread across almost all of NSW, with strong westerly winds creating what authorities fear will be the worst bushfire conditions in years.

Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons warned yesterday that fire danger ratings across "a significant part" of the state would be upgraded to either severe or extreme.

IT'S going to be hot, damn hot! But Sydney's clever cookies will be cool with our top ten tips for this sweltering summer.

"It could be some of the worst fire weather conditions we've seen for years, both in terms of fire ratings and the geographic spread of the conditions," he said.

"Couple that with the fact the last two years have been dominated by rainfall and moisture, which means we've got fuel loads across NSW the likes of which we haven't seen for 30 or 40 years."

Sydney and coastal regions have so far been spared the worst of the heat baking inland parts of the state thanks to cool sea breezes.

Bureau of Meteorology duty forecaster Sarah Hicks said that would change dramatically tomorrow when hot westerly winds breached the Great Dividing Range.

Mr Fitzsimmons said the RFS was bracing for winds of up to 80km/h.

"Not only are we going to see temperatures well above 40C across the state, including coastal areas, we're going to see humidity drop and the wind will strengthen considerably," he said. "Hot, dry, windy weather is the principal ingredient for aggressive fire behaviour and for fires to start very easily and quickly."

Only the Snowy Mountains is expected to record maximums below 30C.

Australian Energy Market Operator spokeswoman Mary Tait said electricity demand was likely to increase by a third statewide.

"This time of the year people are still on holiday and not all large industrial processors are fully back on line," she said. "Although reserves are adequate to meet electricity demand, hot weather and fires can damage electricity infrastructure and cause localised disruptions."Mercifully, Sydney's hot spell is only likely to last the day. Ms Hicks said a southerly change would move up the coast by Wednesday, pulling maximum temperatures down 18C to 25C.

Swiss backpackers Samuel Amrein, 20, and Mirco Scardina, 21, tried to escape the heat yesterday by ducking into the coolroom of Bondi store Kemeny's.

"I've never experienced weather this hot before," Mr Scardina said. "It's so far removed from anything we have in Europe."

Mr Amrein agreed, saying "I think we will have to go to the beach and in the water to escape the heat."

[AndreaL]

Please everyone spare a thought for our brave firies and SES volunteers all over the country today and especially in NSW where catastrophic fire conditions are warranted and a complete fire ban is in place.

Let all of them return home safe to their loved ones.

It is only a few years since black Saturday (2009) a day etched in my mind as it is my sons birthday and when 173 people lost their lives....let us not see another time like that.