NSW weather: Severe heatwave to hit state this weekend, BOM says

NSW is set to sizzle later this week with residents urged to prepare for a severe heatwave with temperatures to hit 45 degrees in some parts of the state.

NSW is set to sizzle over the weekend, as severe heatwave sweeps across the state bringing with it temperatures as high as 45 degrees.

The western regions of NSW are expected to start heating up on Wednesday while the official heatwave will begin on Thursday.

21 Feb 2004 Jacquie Milton at Coolum Beach on the Sunshine Coast. PicMegan/Slade silhouette surfboard travel generic hot temperatures weather qld heatwave

Bureau of Meteorology forecaster Jake Phillips said by Friday many parts of the state will see temperatures exceed 40 degrees.

“On Thursday and Friday things will be getting very warm in the west,” he said.

“By Friday we’re looking at temperatures getting into the low 40s, lots of places will be getting to about 41 and 42 degrees.

“It’s hard to name specific areas because this heatwave is going to be very broad, but on Saturday we’re expecting a number of places to reach about 44 or 45 degrees.

“Places in the far northwest like Tibooburra and Wilcannia can expect those temperatures, and even down into the Riverina, places like Griffith will be in the mid 40s.”

With heatwave conditions forecast for much of SA, and inland Victoria and NSW by Friday, here's a reminder of how we classify heatwaves based on potential impacts for health and infrastructure.

Monitor our Heatwave Service at https://t.co/uyRUK5kP80 pic.twitter.com/qI865SHGJD

— Bureau of Meteorology, Australia (@BOM_au) November 24, 2020

Mr Phillips said that on the weekend the heatwave will shift towards the east and will even impact some coastal areas.

“A lot of eastern districts will be affected by the weekend,” he said.

“Some may even get into the high 30s and early 40s. Western Sydney on Sunday will be about 41 and parts of the Hunter looks like it will get up to about 42.

“By that stage we’ll be entering what we call a severe heatwave.”

In the Sydney metro area, temperatures will reach a top of 33 and 36 degrees on Saturday and Sunday respectively.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - NCA NewsWire Photos November , 22, 2020 General views of Bondi beach as the crowd flock the beach due the hot weather.Picture: NCA NewsWire/Flavio Brancaleone

Mr Phillips said the heatwave is the result of a build-up of heat over Central Australia that is swept down into NSW by the dominant pressure systems.

“What we see is a high-pressure system over the Tasman Sea and what that does is direct northerly winds across NSW, and that drags down the heat from places like Queensland and Northern Territory,” he said.

The blistering conditions will peak over the weekend, with a cooler change forecast to set in by Monday morning.

Authorities have issued warnings to residents to practice extreme caution in the coming days, with the hot and dry environment making perfect conditions for bushfires.