Greater Sydney is currently under a total fire ban, with temperatures in the city's west expected to reach 37C. The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a warning for extreme fire danger, citing hot, dry conditions and the possibility of thunderstorms with minimal rainfall.
Areas including Mount Druitt are predicted to experience temperatures of 37C around 2pm. Temperatures are also expected to range between 34C and 36C from north of Newcastle down to Wollongong, before a change later in the afternoon that may bring damaging winds.
The NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) has confirmed that the total fire ban prohibits outdoor fires, solid fuel barbecues, and activities such as grinding and welding in the affected regions. Trent Curtin, the commissioner of the NSW RFS, stated that people need to be careful throughout the day to avoid any open flames. He also noted concerns about "dry lightning" potentially starting fires in western and central NSW, as severe thunderstorms are expected across large parts of the state with little rain.
This extreme heat follows Australia's second-hottest September on record, which the bureau attributes to a strengthening El Niño. Climate scientist Dr Linden Ashcroft previously linked this trend to climate change.