Millions impacted by severe heatwave sweeping through Sydney this week

Millions of Australians are preparing for sweltering temperatures, as a heatwave is anticipated to sweep through parts of NSW this week, with Sydney residents warned of extra hot conditions. The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a severe heatwave warning for parts of eastern NSW, with temperatures expected to reach 6-10C above the seasonal average. Low intensity heatwave conditions will pass over much of eastern NSW, including Sydney, the Hunter, Illawarra, South Coast and the Southern Tablelands regions, reaching towards the border of Victoria and ACT, and are set to stick around for a few days. Temperatures will reach a top of 35C in Sydney’s west, including Richmond and Penrith, on Monday. They are set to increase to a scorching 38C on Tuesday, then rise again to 39C on Wednesday. A severe heatwave has been issued for Batemans Bay, Bowral, Camden, Campbelltown, Hornsby, Liverpool, Nowra, Penrith, Parramatta, Richmond and Scone, with some areas reaching a maximum temperature of 37C on Monday. Conditions will remain searing through the first half of the week, with the northern parts of the state anticipating scorching 38C temperatures on Tuesday and Wednesday. The bureau has issued a warning as the heat continues to grip the state. “Severe heatwaves can be dangerous for many people, especially older people, babies, children, pregnant and breastfeeding women, people with medical conditions and people who are unwell,” a bureau statement read. Sydney residents are urged to seek shelter inside and close their windows, curtains, awnings and blinds to keep the hot air outside. Residents can expect the heatwave to stick around the eastern parts of NSW until Thursday when a slew of showers will begin sweeping through the state and ushering in a much-needed cool change. While the heatwave rips through the eastern regions of the state, other parts can expect thunderstorms. Rain will battering the central and western regions of NSW, making its way from southeast Australia across South Australia, Victoria and western NSW. Last week, Melbourne and Adelaide residents braved similar scorching conditions, with a heatwave ripping through the cities and reaching a maximum temperature of 38C on Friday in South Australia and 37C on Saturday in Melbourne before the cool shift hit.