Historic Heatwave Hits Sydney With Temperatures Expected To Peak At 42°C

Sydney is in for a serious heat spike this week, with conditions set to rival some of the most intense summers in recent memory. Starting Wednesday, a severe to extreme heatwave will spread from western New South Wales toward the coast, reaching the city by midweek.

Temperatures are set to climb steadily, with highs across the state hitting the high thirties and mid-forties. Overnight lows will stay warm, sitting in the low to mid-twenties, while western areas could see nights in the high twenties.

For those of us around the CBD, the heat actually peaks on Saturday, when the thermometer is expected to hit a 39 degrees and those around Penrith are looking at a whopping 42 degrees. These sustained daytime highs, combined with warm nights, mark this as one of the most significant heat events since the Black Summer of 2019–2020.

The Bureau of Meteorology notes that the heatwave will expand and intensify through the week, affecting large parts of New South Wales and adding to already high temperatures across the region. While extreme summer days aren’t unusual for Sydney, the scale and persistence of this heatwave make it notable.

By the weekend, Sydney and surrounding suburbs will be firmly in its grip, with little fluctuation in temperature expected. Meteorologists will continue to monitor the event closely, tracking both peak highs and areas experiencing the strongest overnight heat.

Come Sunday though, you can expect the mercury to drop with temps with number looking lower than 30 and some rainfall expected to cool things down.

With that in mind, you mind want to find some respite from the heat this week with the below:

• Sydney's Best Ice-Cream And Gelato Spots
• Sydney's Most Beautiful Public Pools Perfect For Summer Lazing
• Sydney's Best Beaches For A Saltwater Dip
• Escape The Beach Crowds At UrbnSurf
• Take Yourself For  A Spin, Macquarie's Famed Ice Rink Has Reopened
• Lap Up Some Sweet Aircon In These Beautiful Cinemas
• Flee The Heat In These Galleries Shaping Sydney's Art Scene Right Now

Main image credit: Annie Hatuanh