NSW weather: Fire danger, schools closed as Sydney heatwave to break records

Firefighters are on high alert as NSW prepares to swelter through extreme heatwave conditions that have triggered fire bans and school closures across parts of the state.

Firefighters are on high alert as NSW prepares to swelter through extreme heatwave conditions that have triggered fire bans and school closures.

Parts of Western Sydney are forecast to hit 38C on Friday, with Sydney expected to reach 30C.

Sydney will sizzle on Saturday, where temperatures are expected to reach 44C for the first time in almost four years.

“The last time western Sydney saw temps of 44C or higher was during the Black Summer of 2019/20,” Weatherzone said.

“Friday night will be a warm night with Sydney’s minimum temperature only dropping to 23C, nearly 6C above average.”

The Jelly Bean Pool at Glenbrook in the Blue Mountains was a hit with locals on Friday. Picture: David Swift

Extreme heatwave conditions will hit most parts of NSW this weekend. Picture: Weatherzone

More than a dozen schools have been closed on Friday due to the elevated bushfire risk in Western Sydney.

The NSW Department of Education, in consultation with the RFS Rural Fire Service, closed 19 schools including Barellan Central School, Darlington Point Public School and Yanco Public School (full list below).

Sweltering Sydney forced to close schools as heatwave rips across NSW

An extreme fire danger rating has been declared for the Northern Riverina and South Western.

“Warm to hot conditions with fresh and gusty north to north-westerly winds will lead to elevated fire dangers on Friday,” the Bureau of Meteorology said.

“Thunderstorms with little to no rainfall possible and dry lightning is a risk.”

Extreme heatwave warnings are also in place for the Central West Slopes and Plains District, while severe heatwave weather warnings have been issued for the Mid North Coast, Hunter, Northern Tablelands, Metropolitan, Illawarra, South Coast, Central Tablelands, Southern Tablelands, Snowy Mountains, North West Slopes & Plains, South West Slopes, Riverina, Lower Western and Upper Western Districts.

A southerly change should reach Sydney late Saturday and bring cooler weather to the NSW coast from Sunday.

NSW PUBLIC SCHOOLS CLOSED ON FRIDAY:

Barellan Central School

Binya Public School

Clare Public School

Coleambally Central School

Darlington Point Public School

Goolgowi Public School

Hillston Central School

Lake Wyangan Public School

Narrandera East Infants School

Narrandera High School

Palinyewah Public School

Pooncarie Public School

Rankins Springs Public School

Tharbogang Public School

Wamoon Public School

Whitton-Murrami Public School

Yanco Public School

Yenda Public School

Yoogali Public School