NSW weather: regional towns braced for 40C temperatures

IT’S been 20 years since Central NSW has seen a scorcher like this. Regional towns such as Bourke, Brewarrina and Lightning Ridge are bracing for a week of 40C temperatures. Western Sydney is also expecting a run of hot days.

Towns in Central NSW are set for a scorcher this week. Picture: Emma Brasier

IT’S been 20 years since Central NSW has seen a scorcher like this.

Regional towns such as Bourke, Brewarrina and Lightning Ridge are bracing for a week of 40C temperatures.

Data from the Bureau of Meteorology shows the last time Bourke had five or more days of 40C weather was in November, 1997.

View our latest #heatwave maps and forecasts at https://t.co/Pq0MXhkwfF. #NSWweather #ACTweather pic.twitter.com/k0Zxj23qPg

— Bureau of Meteorology, New South Wales (@BOM_NSW) December 11, 2017

The Bureau of Meteorology said this is the first heatwave of summer.

“It’s not unheard of for some of these locations to see multiple days of 40C in summer, but it’s been a little while since we’ve seen that sort of run, ” the NSW duty forecaster said.

“Many locations are 8-10 degrees above average for this time of year.”

Bourke is set for six days over 40C.

Bourke in northwest NSW is set for six days over 40C with a top of 42C, while Lightning Ridge in the state’s north will hit 41C with four consecutive days above 40C.

Tibooburra in the far northwest will reach a scorching 43C on Wednesday and Thursday, while Brewarrina will also have a run of six days above 40C starting tomorrow.

A strong, slow-moving high pressure system in the Tasman Sea is directing hot northerly winds across north and central NSW causing a build-up of hot conditions. A cold front isn’t expected to hit until early to mid next week.

The Bureau of Meteorology’s heatwave map shows much of the country is set to fry.

But Bourke resident Greg Seiler isn’t worried.

“It’s only 40 degrees, it’s not all that hot,” he said.

“There are lots of times in January and February where it’s in excess of 40 degrees by 10am.

“Everyone gets excited about a big temperature but really, we’ve been blessed with how mild it’s been. There’s been a bit of a spike this week, but we’re probably six to eight weeks behind where it should be.”

Tibooburra will reach a scorching 43C. Picture: Peter Lorimer.

Western Sydney is also expecting a hot run of days, with the temperature tipped to hit 41C on Thursday.

“Richmond is set to exceed 35 degrees each day from Wednesday to Saturday, its hottest December spell in at least 12 years,” Mr Sharpe said.

“Sydney itself will see seven straight days above 27, with unseasonably humid nights above 20 degrees from Wednesday night into the start of next week.”