Fire bans in place as extreme heatwave sweeps Australia

[OzGirl]

An extreme heatwave is sweeping much of Australia today, bringing record-breaking temperatures and dangerous fire conditions across the country’s south-east.

 

The mercury is set to soar above 40 degrees in many parts of New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia for the fourth day in a row.

 

Sydney is forecast to reach 30 degrees, while Penrith in Sydney's west will nudge 40 degrees before climbing to 41 degrees tomorrow.

 

Melbourne may have its hottest day in 10 months with suburbs in the north liking to reach 44 degrees. 

 

Adelaide is expected to be hit the hardest today with the city forecast to reach 41 degrees. Residents of Coober

Pedy, 850km north, will have to endure upwards of 46.

According to Weatherzone, day and night temperatures will be generally eight to 12 degrees above average.

 

"This heat has started to build up over the north-western parts of the country and that's extended down to the south-east," Weatherzone meteorologist Jacob Cronje said. 

 

"It's being kept in place by a high pressure system. We really won't see significant cooling over NSW and the ACT for the foreseeable future."

 

Temperatures are also expected to exceed 45 degrees in parts of Western Australia after the state declared a total fire ban in 13 districts yesterday.

 

A total fire ban is in place for 10 districts across South Australia including the Mount Lofty Ranges and Yorke Peninsula, as well as the Mallee and Wimmera districts in Victoria.

 

People living in affected areas have been urged by health authorities to drink plenty of water, avoid travelling during the hottest parts of the day and to look after those most vulnerable to the heat.

 

Beachgoers hoping to cool off in the sea have also been advised to take care, after four people drowned in coastal waters in two days on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

 

The latest victim is a 27-year-old man whose body was recovered after he drowned at a Victorian watering hole yesterday.

 

NSW Health executive director Jeremy McAnulty warned people to be prepared for the first real heat of summer.

 

"It's important to keep up water intake, stay cool and avoid strenuous physical activity in the heat of the day because heat places a lot of strain on the body and cause dehydration, heat exhaustion and heat stroke," he said.

 

Dr McAnulty said ozone could irritate those with respiratory conditions and follow their action plan and take their relieving medication as necessary.

 

Meanwhile, as the rest of the country swelters into the New Year, the north is in for a soggy start to 2019 with thunderstorms sweeping across north Queensland and all the way to Darwin.

 

The region has had over 400 millimetres of rain over the last two days with the wet weather expected to stick around for at least another week.

 

A major flood warning in place for the Daintree and Mossman rivers in Far North Queensland.

 

With AAP.

 

© Nine Digital Pty Ltd 2018

 

https://www.9news.com.au/2018/12/27/06/59/fire-bans-in-place-as-extreme-heatwave-sweeps-australia

[G_B_]

hmm good thing india are batting. 

 

wear down the aussie pacers, thats what i say.

[Deleted_User_1]

The players will feel it out in the middle!

[fineleg]

Bat the first session carefully pls. keep wickets in hand

Heat will hopefully help India after lunch - if wickets in hand.

[Rasgulla]

This match is written for us... Just can't lose