Wednesday 18 November 2009

Significant Weather Media Release

Excessive Heat across NSW

The heatwave affecting southern and western parts of NSW will extend eastward and peak over the next few days as hot northerly winds persist over southeast Australia.

Very hot conditions will affect most of the state with daytime temperatures reaching into the forties. Only the coastal fringe, where sea breezes prevail, will escape the worst of the heat.

A weak change will enter the southwest of the state on Saturday bringing cloud, showers and near average temperatures to southern and western parts. However the hot conditions will persist over the remainder of the State into the early part of next week.

Severe to Extreme fire weather conditions are expected across inland parts of NSW including the ACT and possibly extending into the Hunter Valley on Friday and Western Sydney on Saturday.

NSW Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said, "Given the dry conditions in many parts of the state and erratic fire behaviour we have seen in the last week, I have concerns about fires taking hold quickly and being difficult to control.

Residents of NSW need to be prepared for bush fires. Fires in these conditions will move rapidly and may threaten without warning. It is important that new outbreaks of fire are reported to Triple Zero (000) immediately."

New daily maximum temperature records for November have already been set at Wilcannia (45.2ºC) and Broken Hill (43.4ºC) on 16 November. Many stations across NSW are likely to set new November daily maximum temperature records over the next two days, Griffith and Cobar are both forecast to exceed their record temperatures on Thursday with temperatures of 45ºC. Broken Hill is likely to smash it's very recent record, set Tuesday, with 45ºC forecast for Thursday.

In addition to daily temperature records many sites across southwestern NSW are now setting records for a consecutive number of very hot days in November. Locations such as Hay, Deniliquin and Balranald have now experienced a record 8 days in a row above 35ºC. Broken Hill has set a record of 9 consecutive days over 35ºC and 6 consecutive days over 38ºC. With high temperatures forecast to persist in this region until at least Saturday these records are likely to be significantly extended.

NSW Health Manager of Health Risk Assessment, Adam Capon, said people should be aware of heat-related illness especially at this time.

"People showing signs of nausea, vomiting, faintness and dizziness, loss of appetite, weakness, headaches, loss of sweating and reduced urine output should seek urgent medical attention through their GP or the Emergency Department at their nearest hospital.

Simple precautions are an effective ways of combating the risk of heat-related illness. Everyone needs to stay well hydrated. People should carry water while they are out and about and avoid alcohol and caffeine beverages. People should also keep out of the sun in the hottest part of the day, limit physical activity, apply sunscreen and protect their skin by wearing clothing and a hat," Dr Capon said.

For further infomation:

• Latest forecasts and warnings: NSW | ACT
• Latest Weather Observations: NSW | ACT | Thermal comfort | Temperature Maps
• Climate Averages and extremes
• Daily Weather Observations
• NSW Rural Fire Service
• NSW Health
• Forecast maps: Rainfall | Wind
• February 2009 Heatwave

For further information contact:

• Bureau of Meteorology: 0432 746 432
• NSW Health: 02 9391 9121
• NSW Rural Fire Service: 02 9898 1855