Predictions NSW/ACT - Post Christmas Heatwave Dec 26 to early January

[Snow Blowey]

All this talk of heat events. Reality is the heat moved in about 5 weeks ago and hasn't really gone anywhere. The heat events you are talking about are just the days when the westerly blows it close to the coast.

In Dubbo we have had 5 straight days over 40. Only 1 day in the last 21 days below 35. In the 7 day outlook 37 is the best ahead, with another 4 x 40 degree+ days coming up. Relentless.

 

[jish33]

Looks like the heatwave will continue here in Canberra for at least 1 more week as the heat re establishes. Only 1 day of reprieve on Monday the 6th of January with a downgraded rain forecast to virtually nothing. Possible all time record temperature tomorrow with 42 degrees (record is 42.3).

 

[Billy_Buttons]

The highest we had at our place in a valley in Hornsby shire about 20 years ago was 47.7c.

 

[connells]

Seeing as I am a sucker for stats I have to ask.

Was that 47.7 official or an uncle Bob's back porch reading? Can you remember the date?

 

[Billy_Buttons]

Seeing as I am a sucker for stats I have to ask.

Was that 47.7 official or an uncle Bob's back porch reading? Can you remember the date?

It was my outdoor reading. I think it was 2000.

 

[TomGroggon]

I have never seen so many bats flying around Helensburgh on the Illawarra Escarpment not weather related but very weird.Like a bat out Hell

 

[Homer]

Temps still in the mid 30's in the Central west, and up to + 38 deg's in the far west. (11.30 pm)
Tomorrow is going to be a shocker.

 

[Rainbow Spirit]

The southerly is a long way off, it passed through Melbourne around 8:30am.

 

[Steve777]

The BOM have updated the forecast at 9:24AM and have stuck with yesterday's numbers for Sydney - basically 45 West of Olympic Park, 46 in the outer West, low 40s over most of the rest except near the beaches and the Harbour where it's low to mid 30s. At the moment it's warm and sunny with a light NW'er and hazy light blue skies. The smoke's come back at ground level in the last couple of hours.

There doesn't seem to be much wind, apart from the sea breeze once it gets going. It's now in the low 30s over most of Sydney. The sea breeze has started on the coast. The Southerly is nowhere to be seen.

EDIT. I'm away from any bushfire prone area but some family ilive near bushland. It's a very anxious day for many. Best wishes to all in the shadow of bushire danger and may evreryone get through today safely.

 

[climberman]

I have never seen so many bats flying around Helensburgh on the Illawarra Escarpment not weather related but very weird.Like a bat out Hell

Huge amounts nightly in the Gong.

 

[Rainbow Spirit]

My guess about the increase in bat activity is it is being caused by the fires destroying their roosters and food supplies. Fruit bats also dislike heat and will do their best to avoid it, by locating to cooler areas. At least the bats have the ability to out run (fly) the fires.

 

[ShavedBadger]

In Newcastle, where you can usually rely on the coastal influence to counter the worst of a hot day, it has just gone above 41 degrees at 11am. The worst of it is the hot dry wind, as if God left the oven door open.

 

[Rainbow Spirit]

41.8c at Richmond at 11:40am, it's a stinker outside today that's for sure.

 

[Trail Blazer]

It’s interesting that Newcastle and Ulladulla, as examples, have hot forecasts and no sea breeze, whereas Sydney and the Illawarra do.

42.5C here. Hotter than NYE already (well placed amateur thermometer)

 

[Homer]

It’s interesting that Newcastle and Ulladulla, as examples, have hot forecasts and no sea breeze, whereas Sydney and the Illawarra do.

42.5C here. Hotter than NYE already (well placed amateur thermometer)

Same here TB.
currently 42.2.

 

[Trail Blazer]

Already 45.6C in Penrith. It’s going to be an uncomfortable afternoon with the cool air still so far away

 

[Sideny]

Already 45.6C in Penrith. It’s going to be an uncomfortable afternoon with the cool air still so far away

46.3 now. Close to its January record.

edit: 46.6c Looks like a new record?

 

[Wavey]

It has hit 43.4°C here so far with a moderate northerly. Albion Park still 37 with a sea breeze. Penrith has also maxed out at 46.6°C so far.

 

[appa]

46.3 now. Close to its January record.

edit: 46.6c Looks like a new record?

The record for Penrith is 47.3C. The Richmond record is 47.8C.

 

[Sideny]

The record for Penrith is 47.3C. The Richmond record is 47.8C.

ah mb looks like WZ records are outdated

 

[appa]

Penrith now at 46.9C. I think that equals the 2nd hottest day on record. At this rate it will get to 48C.

 

[AshestoAshes]

Note this is a home recording a street away but warmest ever home recording since the station was set up in Jan 2018 and blows away the previous 46.5 degree record. Bankstown is at 43.4 as of 12:50.

 

[AshestoAshes]

It’s interesting that Newcastle and Ulladulla, as examples, have hot forecasts and no sea breeze, whereas Sydney and the Illawarra do.

42.5C here. Hotter than NYE already (well placed amateur thermometer)

Actually BOM has nailed the forecast Seabreeze at OH and at Sydney Airport along with the Illawarra just bar Kiama which is running a NNW. Going to get very uncomfortable for the coasties soon.
Reason why I won't count Newcastle so far is because that valley effect can see Newcastle get overrun by Northwesterlies.

 

[davidg]

47.2c in Penrith now. 48c doesn't seem out of the question

 

[appa]

Penrith now at 47.6C

 

[Homer]

Penrith now at 47.6C

Wow!!
48 easily possible.

 

[appa]

Canberra has got to 42.4C which I think is a new record.

 

[Trail Blazer]

47.8C at Penrith. That equals the all time Sydney suburban record

 

[Mcbobbings]

Penrith 47.8c at 1:30pm. All time record equaled. I think it will go before today is over by quite some margin

 

[Homer]

Penrith 47.8c at 1:30pm. All time record equaled. I think it will go before today is over by quite some margin

I can see cloud building to the west - it may or may not just keep a slight lid on it, but there's only 0.2 to go anyway, so.....

 

[Mcbobbings]

May have egg on my face. Temp down to 45c. Will have to see as if the cloud holds off there is still 2 hours+ for the temp to build

 

[Homer]

May have egg on my face. Temp down to 45c. Will have to see as if the cloud holds off there is still 2 hours+ for the temp to build

It has now clouded over here as well.
I'd suggest it's the cloud that has reduced the temp at Penrith.

 

[Wavey]

Canberra has got to 42.4C which I think is a new record.

Has since risen to 42.9°C which beats all records from Canberra including the 42.7°C at Acton in Jan 1939.

 

[Lady Penelope]

Has since risen to 42.9°C which beats all records from Canberra including the 42.7°C at Acton in Jan 1939.

Yes, and it’s not even the hottest time of the day . Seeking shelter in the air conditioned Canberra Centre.

 

[Mcbobbings]

Well say hello to a new record temp in Sydney. Penrith 48.1c @ 1:59pm

 

[Mcbobbings]

Couldn't come at a worse time really. Don't mind records falling, but really need record rain.

 

[appa]

Well say hello to a new record temp in Sydney. Penrith 48.1c @ 1:59pm

Next stop 49C.

 

[davidg]

Penrith often posts late maximums on days like this. 49c doesn't sound crazy

 

[Rainbow Spirit]

Where are you guys getting the blow by blow temps for Penrith?, all I can see is the BOMs weather observations that are updated every 30mins plus occasional peaks, none of which show 48.1c.

 

[AshestoAshes]

Where are you guys getting the blow by blow temps for Penrith?, all I can see is the BOMs weather observations that are updated every 30mins plus occasional peaks, none of which show 48.1c.

http://www.bom.gov.au/nsw/observations/sydney.shtml
Every 10 min updates.

 

[AshestoAshes]

Local Bankstown record beaten 46.4 degrees at 2:04pm beating out the 46.1 on the 18th of Jan 2013. Not going to lie the mid 40s Western Sydney Heatwave has come 1-2 weeks early it is usually mid Jan. This time it's been late December and Early Jan. But thankfully this should be the last heatwave as the heat engine gets turned off in Central Aus and WA.

 

[Dylan Kearney]

The smoke plumes on radar tells the story of what’s happening in southern areas atm!

 

[dogski]

Penrith 48.4

 

[Rainbow Spirit]

http://www.bom.gov.au/nsw/observations/sydney.shtml
Every 10 min updates.

That's what I'm looking at, but although it says it updates every 10mins, all I can see is every 30mins, what am I missing?

 

[Mcbobbings]

That's what I'm looking at, but although it says it updates every 10mins, all I can see is every 30mins, what am I missing?

Can you post a screenshot? If you click into the individual site it is only every 30 min. If you stay on the general Syd Observations page it is all sites updated every 10 minutes (generally at 2:34pm for data up to 2:30 etc.)

 

[Sean G]

Where are you seeing the 48s for Penrith? Not on here... http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDN60801/IDN60801.94763.shtml

 

[Sideny]

48.5C :o how high will it go

edit: guys scroll down to sydney metropolitan on this page

http://www.bom.gov.au/nsw/observations/nswall.shtml

On the right youll see "high temp"

 

[Trail Blazer]

Where are you seeing the 48s for Penrith? Not on here... http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDN60801/IDN60801.94763.shtml

those are just 30 min set intervals. Here is the live temp link

http://www.bom.gov.au/nsw/observations/sydney.shtml?ref=hdr

 

[davidg]

http://www.bom.gov.au/nsw/observations/sydney.shtml

4th column from the right shows the highest temp recorded (updates every 10mins)

 

[Sean G]

Got it, thanks. Knew I just had to find the right spot to look....