Australia hit by heatwave
Australia is hit by a heatwave as spring blankets much of southeastern Australia, including Sydney. Temperatures are expected to peak at 16 degrees Celsius above the average temperature in September.
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| The heatwave is set to hit on Thursday and hang around for five days, bringing temperatures in the mid 30s to Sydney. (Photo: AAP) |
As reported by Reuters, on Monday (09/18/2023), Australia is facing an increase in heat waves that blanketed its inner areas over the weekend and is expected to continue until Wednesday (9/20) throughout South Australia, Victoria, and News South Wales.
Temperatures expected to break record highs
The Australian Bureau of Meteorology expects several spring heatwave records to be broken in the next few days. The Australian Bureau of Meteorology said such heatwaves were "extremely rare in September".
"The suspension of hot weather is not expected to occur until Wednesday (20/9) onwards, due to stronger cold weather across the southeastern states," the Australian Bureau of Meteorology said in a statement via Facebook on Sunday (17/9) local time.
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This extremely hot weather had a devastating impact on marathon runners in Sydney on Sunday (17/9) local time, with 26 people rushed to hospital and about 40 others treated by emergency services for exhaustion due to extreme heat.
The air temperature in the western Sydney region is expected to reach 36 degrees Celsius on Monday (18/9) local time and is expected to gradually decrease to 22 degrees Celsius on Thursday (21/9).
The heatwave also increases the risk of fires and some areas are subject to 'high' fire hazard levels, and local authorities are urging residents to prepare for possible wildfires.
About 50 bushfires have been reported across New South Wales state, but all have been brought under control.
Australia is bracing for hotter springs and summers in the southern hemisphere after El Niño is likely to strengthen and local forecasters say the event is likely to occur between September and November.
El Niño could trigger extreme weather events ranging from bushfires to cyclones and drought in Australia, and local authorities warn of an increased risk of bushfires this summer.
Thick smog blanketed Sydney for several days last week, as firefighters made efforts to reduce the danger in preparation for the upcoming bushfire season.