Australians warned heatwaves could worsen over summer

While many are enjoying cooler temperatures after a sweltering heatwave swept through NSW, there are concerns that the worst is yet to come in terms of high temperatures.

Australians should expect more heatwaves this summer as sweltering temperatures in NSW this weekend give a taste of what’s to come over the next two months.

NCA Newswire understands government authorities are particularly concerned about the heatwave risk this summer, with extreme temperatures expected to be a feature of the next few months.

With Sydney already experiencing record-breaking heat in the first two weeks of the summer season, there is a particular concern for January and February when temperatures are higher and heatwaves become more prevalent.

More heatwaves like the one that swept through Sydney over the weekend should be expected as summer ticks on. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Jeremy Piper

NSW residents were forced to sweat through temperatures up into the mid-40s on Saturday as a three-day heatwave caused havoc across the state.

Sydney Airport recorded its hottest December day ever, with records going back to 1929, with a peak of 43.5C degrees just after 1pm.

Bureau of Meteorology senior climatologist Hugh McDowell warned Australians should prepare for more days like that as summer progresses.

“This summer, in particular, looks like it is going to see above-average max and minimum temperatures,” he said.

“Heatwaves are looking like they are going to be increasing in frequency and duration as well.

“There is a very high likelihood of exceeding the median maximum temperatures across pretty much all states.”

There are concerns that systems already under pressure could become hit with a wave of heat related issues. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Max Mason-Hubers

While heatwaves generally last three days, there are concerns from the BOM that significant heat events could stretch out to last longer, possibly even a week.

The Climate Council has echoed the declarations that 2023 will be the hottest year on record due to increased greenhouse gases driving up temperatures.

The group’s director Dr Simon Bradshaw warned extreme weather events like heatwaves and bushfires are only going to become more common.

“This ferocious heat, and the confirmation that this year is the hottest on record is consistent with what science has warned us to expect,” Dr Bradshaw warned.

“That same science tells us that if we do not act swiftly, things will only get much worse.”

Not only do more Australians die from heat than from other major weather events combined, but they also prime the land for more bushfires.

This year’s heat combined with El Nino conditions are likely to push firefighters to their limit. Picture: NCA NewsWIRE / John Gass

One major heat event can go a long way toward drying out the soil and putting an area more at risk of a major bushfire.

Paired with the current El Nino weather event facing much of Australia, which drives drier and hotter conditions throughout the country’s centre and south, bushfire risk is at its highest level since the 2019 black summer.

Australians are “anxiously awaiting” a horror season for both bushfires and heat according to Emergency Leaders for Climate Action member and former Commissioner of ACT Emergency Services Peter Dunn.

“Extreme heat, like what we’re seeing today and over the course of the weekend, not only makes any fires that ignite burn hotter and harder, it also overwhelms the ability of our emergency services to cope,” he said.

“On the worst days, there are just too many fires to fight and it is unsafe for first responders.”

Originally published as Australians warned heatwaves could worsen over summer