Illawarra residents and visitors have woken up to a hot and humid Sunday with the temperatures already exceeding what the Bureau of Meteorology had forecast by brunch.
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By 9am Albion Park was at 36 degrees and Bellambi at 34, with warm winds sweeping from the west at times not bringing much reprieve. By 10am Albion Park topped 40.3 degrees, Bellambi at 37.9.
Temperatures are set to drop to the mid to low-20s after 6pm. A slight chance of rain expected Monday morning won’t do much cooling with temperatures expected to peak in the high 20s again.
Emergency services and government agencies are urging people to look after themselves this weekend as a heatwave descends over the state.
Tips to take care*:
- Stay well-hydrated
- Avoid alcohol and hot or sugary drinks
- Limit your physical activity
- Try to stay out of the sun during the hottest part of the day
- Wear light, loose-fitting clothing made from natural fibres like cotton
- Regularly check your forecasts from the Bureau of Meteorology on radio, TV, internet or app
- Get advice from your doctor about whether your medication and/or your medical conditions may affect what you should do if it gets extremely hot
- Make sure you know who you are going to call (who may need help, and who could provide help to you if needed); make a list of telephone numbers and make sure they are current.
* Source: NSW Police
The Rural Fire Service advises the Illawarra to have a “very high” fire danger while Total Fire Bans have been issued for Greater Sydney and the Hunter.
Temperatures in western Sydney will climb into the mid-40's, with a forecast high of 45 for Penrith and Richmond, while the city will not be far behind at 40 degrees.
NSW Health's Director of Environmental Health, Dr Ben Scalley said high ozone levels can have serious health effects on vulnerable people.
"As ozone can irritate the lungs, people with asthma need to follow their Asthma Action Plan and take their relieving medication where necessary," he said. "If symptoms get worse, they need to seek medical advice."
NSW Police urged motorists to avoid leaving children or pets unattended in their cars, with Deputy Commissioner Catherine Burn warning that anyone caught doing so could face charges.
"Cars become a furnace in this heat," she said. "Anybody who is leaving a child in a car is just totally irresponsible and it can be deadly. Just don't do it under any circumstances, particularly in the heat.
"If they do leave children in the car, it is an offence and we will take action."
The Deputy Commissioner said that they were coordinating with other emergency services to ensure people kept safe over the weekend and into next week.
"The real issue is that we're not going to see a relief in NSW until early next week, so we're going to see sustained heat over the days and the nights."
A recent NSW Health study found extreme heatwaves increased ambulance call-outs and deaths by more than 10 per cent.
"[Heatwaves] put a lot of strain on the body and can cause dehydration, heat exhaustion and heat stroke," Dr Scalley said.
"At times like this, it's a good idea to avoid strenuous physical activity in the middle of the day, drink plenty of water, and take precautions when out in the sun such as wearing sunscreen and protective clothing."
Dr Scalley said anyone showing signs of heat-related illness should seek medical attention.
Beach Safety Tips*:
- Always swim between the red and yellow patrol flags, for your nearest patrolled beach check the BeachSafe app or website
- Read the safety signs for information about the beach and ask a lifesaver or lifeguard for safety information
- Always swim with someone else so you can look out for each other, and always supervise children around the water
- Never swim under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- If you need help in the water, stay calm and attract attention by raising one arm
- In an emergency, dial Triple Zero Police
- Don’t forget to be sun safe by remembering to: Slip on some protective clothing, Slop on some sunscreen, Slap on a hat, Slide on a pair of sunglasses, Seek some shade and Sip on lots of water to stay hydrated.
Source: Surf Life Saving NSW
