East coast swelters as heatwave continues
THE heat has left Melbourne and Adelaide sweltering will hit Sydney this week bringing temperatures nearing 40C tomorrow and remaining in the high 30s though to next weekend.And there is no relief in sight just yet.
High temperatures are expected for the rest of summer. The bureau predicts minimum temperatures will be well above average from November to January.
Emergency services on alert
In South Australia emergency crews were kept busy containing a series of blazes in blistering heat, with three of the largest fires destroying nearly 300ha.
On Yorke Peninsula, farm machinery is believed to have started a 60ha grass fire at Maitland about 11.30am.
Six Country Fire Service appliances, a bulk water carrier and specialist farm units brought the flames under control within an hour and protected a house.
At Wynarka, about 50km east of Murray Bridge, about 200ha was destroyed in a grass fire on the Tailem Bend-Karoonda road that started at about 1pm. Police closed the road after visibility was reduced because of thick smoke, and re-opened it by 3.30pm.
CFS spokeswoman Karina Loxton appealed for continued vigilance over the coming few days.
"We urge everyone to do the right thing and watch their activities, particularly in total fire ban areas," she said. Meanwhile, a number of events have been cancelled today due to the heat.
These include the Rundle Street Market, The Big Aussie Swap event that was to have been held in Whitmore Square, the Gilles St markets and the Ovarian Cancer Challenge Walkathon scheduled for 10am at Semaphore.
Monarto zoo is also closed due to the threat of bushfires.
In Victoria temperatures in the Mallee region are predicted to hit 41C on Saturday and Sunday and 37C on Monday.
Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) state duty officer Dennis Ward warned people conducting their own bushfire preparations in parts of the state without fire restrictions to remain vigilant.
"People need to be aware that we've had a long, hot, dry period and it's going to continue for bit,'' he said.
"The main thing is that people be aware and be careful, particularly those doing their own fire protection.''
El Nino driving temperatures
NSW Bureau of Meteorology senior forecaster Elly Spark said the hot weather was caused by a backdrop of El Nino and a very hot air mass over central Australia.
Northwesterly winds, generated by a high-pressure system in the Tasman Sea, were carrying this hot air to the NSW coast.
"Generally, conditions over inland NSW have been hot to very hot, and they will continue that way for some time," Ms Spark said.
"On November 3, the temperature at Penrith hit 39.4 degrees.
"There will be a change on Tuesday, but by the end of the week conditions are going to get very hot again.
"On Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, temperatures in western Sydney will be on the rise.
"Penrith is expected to have a 37-degree day on Thursday, followed by 39 degrees on Friday."
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