Sydney sweats through hottest September night on record

WITH temperatures soaring this weekend, NSW and Victoria faced record-breaking heat while the mercury will remain above 30C in Brisbane all week.

It’s been a record breaking weekend. Picture: Bureau of Meteorology

AUSTRALIA is sweating through summer-like conditions with record-breaking heat slamming NSW and Victoria this weekend.

Sydney residents sweltered through one of their hottest September nights ever. The lowest temperature between 6pm last night and 9am this morning was 25.7C, according to Bureau of Meteorolgy Duty Forecaster Andrew Haigh.

This is a massive increase from the previous highest minimum temperature of 22C in 2003.

“It will be a while before all the data comes in to see how many records were broken but it does appear that Sydney may have broken its highest minimum September record,” he told news.com.au.

The stiflingly hot night follows on from yesterday’s first ever 40C September day registered in several locations across NSW, Wilcannia being the highest with a temperature of 40.5C.

Climatologist Andrew Watkins said Victoria had also experienced a new state record, with a top of 37.7C in Mildura.

New Victorian state record for September - 37.7C (99.9F) at Mildura and a few hours to go...https://t.co/OH0IW2Z5Xi pic.twitter.com/4Zykisnivl

— Andrew B Watkins (@windjunky) 23 September 2017

Many places also broke their individual temperature records for September.

Ivanhoe smashed their previous highest temperature of 35.2C, soaring to 39.7C.

Hay and Griffith both exceeded their previous records by 3.2C, with Hay reaching 39.6C and Griffith reaching 38.2C.

Yesterday saw many September maximum temperature records broken across #NSW. Here are just a few. #SummerIsComing https://t.co/2qM1QRn3xE pic.twitter.com/dtlprBWCiR

— BOM New South Wales (@BOM_NSW) 24 September 2017

A total fire ban has been declared for much of NSW, with the abnormally hot weather, dry vegetation and lack of rainfall making for very dangerous fire conditions.

The Hume Highway was closed for several hours on Saturday after a fire broke out between Sydney and Canberra just before 12.30pm.

According to Mr Haigh temperatures during this time of year do flacuate “but not usually to the extremes we have seen in the past 24 hours”.

The weekend also marks the beginning of the beach season and the return of lifesaver patrols with Surf Life Saving NSW reminding beachgoers to swim at patrolled beaches and between flags.

Queenslanders are also experiencing summer-like conditions. In Brisbane, the temperature gauge will just keep rising through the weekend, topping out at 35C in the CBD on Monday and not dipping below 30C all next week. Brisbane’s inland suburbs can expect a massive 37C on Sunday.

NSW has seen some of its hottest September temperatures ever this weekend. Picture: Dean Lewins/AAP

But look further west, to Perth, and it couldn’t be a more different story with gale force winds, thunderstorms, heavy showers and below average temperatures.

Despite being worlds apart, the heat in the east and the chill in the west are all part of the same weather system.

Sky News forecaster Tom Saunders said heat spikes were common before an oncoming cold trough, the trough that is about to wreak havoc in Western Australia.

Severe fire danger & total fire bans very likely for parts of #NSW on Saturday and Sunday. Hot and windy conditions are forecast. #NSWRFS pic.twitter.com/1Z8a80YfSg

— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) September 21, 2017

Very low #relativehumidity & clear skies across much of country. Also check #UV ratings https://t.co/ByG5YyVjFH Remember to #SlipSlopSlap! pic.twitter.com/74zyZfRq0j

— BOM Australia (@BOM_au) 24 September 2017

This is what the weather is looking like across Australia for the next few days.

NSW/ACT

Sydney is going to get a relief from the extreme heat tomorrow, reaching a maximum of 24C and dropping to 20C on Tuesday.

SA

Adelaide will be partly cloudy with a possible shower tomorrow morning, reaching a maximum temperature of 18C and 22C on Tuesday.

WA

Perth’s rainy weather is set to continue with maximum temperatures reaching 18C tomorrow and 19C on Tuesday.

VIC

Melbourne is in for a few showers as well, with tomorrows maximum temperature set to be 18C and 22C on Tuesday.

QLD

Brisbane is going to be hot and sunny tomorrow, with maximum temperatures set to reach 35C tomorrow and 33C on Tuesday.

NT

Darwin is in for a sunny week, reaching maximum of 33C tomorrow and Tuesday.

The sun rises over Captain Cook Bridge as Sydneysiders head toward a hot weekend. Picture: AAP Image/Dean Lewins.