NSW Heatwave Alert: Extreme Temperatures Expected to Hit Low 40s This Weekend

Communities across many parts of Australia are being urged to take safety precautions as temperatures rise sharply ahead of a severe heatwave, with some areas in western Sydney forecast to reach the low 40s by Saturday.

The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) has issued heatwave alerts for New South Wales, Western Australia, and the Northern Territory, including an extreme warning for the New South Wales south coast — the highest danger level.

Temperatures began climbing on Thursday, and the heatwave in New South Wales is expected to peak on Friday and Saturday, with several regions predicted to experience temperatures in the high 30s to low 40s.

Extreme warnings have been declared for the NSW south coast, alongside severe heatwave alerts for the Hunter region, metropolitan Sydney, Illawarra, the southern highlands, and the Snowy Mountains.

Areas likely to be impacted include the Sydney metropolitan area, Newcastle, Batemans Bay, Gosford, Camden, Mona Vale, Nowra, Richmond, and Wollongong.

“Extreme means it is hazardous for everyone, including healthy individuals, unless precautions are taken,” said senior meteorologist Christie Johnson.

“We often see health impacts accumulate over time, which means the third day of a heatwave tends to be the most critical.”

Johnson noted that in regions with severe heatwave alerts, vulnerable groups such as the elderly, pregnant women, infants, and people with pre-existing health conditions are most at risk.

By Saturday, western Sydney and parts of the Hunter are forecast to reach temperatures in the low 40s. Inland NSW is also expected to see temperatures above 40°C, though no heatwave warning has been issued for those areas as such conditions are more typical for the region.

“It’s crucial to take precautions if you’re in an area under severe or extreme heatwave warnings,” Johnson emphasized.

“Finding a cool place is essential — whether staying indoors with fans or air conditioning, or visiting a shopping centre, community centre, or library.”

She advised residents to keep blinds down and windows closed early in the day to block out heat, and to use fans or air conditioning when available.

A cool change is expected to reach New South Wales from late Saturday into Sunday morning.

In Western Australia, a severe heatwave warning is in place for the Kimberley, Pilbara, and northern interior regions, where temperatures are forecast to range from the high 30s to mid-40s, with overnight lows in the mid to high 20s. Johnson said these conditions are likely to persist for much of next week.

The Bureau has also issued severe heatwave warnings for the Daly, Tiwi, and Gregory regions in the Northern Territory, though conditions on the Tiwi Islands are expected to improve by the weekend.

Temperatures in Alice Springs were forecast to reach 37°C on Thursday and climb into the low 40s on Friday and Saturday. However, no heatwave alert was issued as the unusually high temperatures were not expected to continue for three consecutive days — the threshold required for an official heatwave warning.

Johnson added that alerts may be issued for parts of Queensland, including the Gulf Country and North West regions, ahead of the weekend.