- Australia swelters in spring heat wave, temperatures set to break records

A spring heat wave is set to intensify in large parts of Australia’s southeast, including Sydney, according to the weather bureau. Temperatures are expected to reach up to 16 degrees Celsius (60 Fahrenheit) above the September average. The heat wave has been building in the country’s outback interior and is predicted to last until Wednesday across South Australia, Victoria, and New South Wales. The Bureau of Meteorology anticipates that several early spring records will be broken in the coming days, describing the heat as “very uncommon for September.” A cold front is expected to bring relief from the heat on Wednesday. However, the heat wave has already had an impact, with runners in the Sydney marathon suffering from heat exhaustion and requiring medical attention. The weather bureau forecasts temperatures in Sydney’s west to reach 36 degrees Celsius (96.8 F) on Monday before dropping to around 22 degrees Celsius (71 F) on Thursday. The heat wave has also increased the risk of fires, with some regions given ‘high’ fire danger ratings. Authorities are urging residents to prepare for bushfires. Australia is preparing for a hotter spring and summer this year, with the possibility of an El Nino weather event developing between September and November. El Nino can lead to extreme weather events such as wildfires, cyclones, and droughts. Authorities have already warned of heightened bushfire risks this summer. Last week, Sydney experienced a thick smoke haze as firefighters conducted hazard reduction burns in preparation for the upcoming bushfire season.