Source: The Daily Telegraph
Sans Souci girls Codylee Whiteoak and Emileen Anderson enjoying the good weather at Cronulla Beach / Pic: Craig Greenhill Source: The Daily Telegraph
IF you can't stand the heat don't just get out of the kitchen - you'd better get right out of the state.
A mass of hot air from the baked deserts of the red centre is due to sweep across the Blue Mountains, bringing with it temperatures soaring into the high-30s and low-40s across western Sydney, the Blue Mountains and into the city.
The west of the state has already been sweltering under a heatwave for most of the week, with Hay hitting 45C yesterday and Wilcannia reaching 45.9C. Tibooburra, in northwestern NSW, experienced its fifth day in a row of temperatures over 40C.
A total fire ban was ordered for parts of the state yesterday afternoon. Health officials said the heat presented "a real and potentially life-threatening risk", and asked people to look out for less robust relatives and neighbours.
Police also warned motorists about the dangers of leaving children, the elderly or pets unattended in cars.
But those hoping to find relief at the coast may be unlucky as poisonous pink algae continued to be reported as far south as Batemans Bay and as far north as Newcastle, closing some beaches.
With the heat in central and western NSW increasing since Tuesday, Weather Channel senior meteorologist Tom Saunders said a low-pressure trough would create northwesterly winds which would push the hot air into western Sydney suburbs: "So the air over western Sydney will originate from the central deserts."
Penrith and Richmond are forecast to reach 40C today and 41C tomorrow, while Parramatta will reach 36C today and 37C tomorrow. But coastal suburbs will be saved from a total scorcher by the sea breeze - Bondi will reach 28C today and 31C tomorrow.
Early summer sizzle ... Brighton Beach, Botany Bay / Pic: Craig Greenhill Source: The Daily Telegraph
NSW Health medical adviser Dr Richard Broome said being unprepared for the heat could prove deadly.
"Heat puts a lot of strain on the body and can cause dehydration, heat exhaustion and heat stroke. It can also make underlying health conditions worse," he said.
"During a heatwave, it is very important to stay in regular contact with your elderly friends, neighbours and relatives, and to look out for other vulnerable members of your community.
"The heatwave that affected Sydney in February 2011 caused an estimated 595 emergency department visits and 96 deaths, which is a stark reminder that extreme heat presents a real and potentially life-threatening risk."
Dr Broome said heat-related illnesses could affect anyone but the over-75s, infants and children, people with chronic medical conditions and people who lived alone were particularly vulnerable. He urged people to take precautions, including drinking plenty of water and avoiding alcoholic or sugary drinks. People should also minimise physical activity and stay indoors between 11am and 5pm. Anyone showing signs of heat-related illness - including dizziness, fainting, nausea, headaches and lots of sweating - should seek urgent medical attention.
Acting deputy police commissioner Mark Murdoch said: "Never, ever leave babies, children, the elderly or animals alone in a car, even if the airconditioner is on.
"It doesn't take long for the temperature inside the car to soar, and for the effects of the heat to take hold."
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