Parts of the Far South Coast reached a “catastrophic” fire rating on Tuesday afternoon, while the temperature soared to more than 15 degrees above the average in Sydney.
Sydney’s Observatory Hill hit a peak of 34.6 degrees by 1.55pm.
The average maximum temperature for Sydney in September is 20 degrees.
The heat at Sydney Airport also broke records, peaking at 35.7 degrees by 2pm, beating the previous September peak of 35.6 degrees in 2000.
The record-breaking heat comes as the Bureau of Meteorology officially announces an El Niño event.
The fire danger rating for the Far South Coast was upgraded to catastrophic on Tuesday afternoon.
There are currently 72 fires burning at advice level and one at watch and act, according to the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS).
Residents have been warned to avoid high-fire risk areas today, such as parks and bushland, as a total fire ban remains in place.
“Due to stronger than forecast winds along the Far South Coast, Catastrophic fire danger is expected this afternoon,” the RFS said in a tweet.
There were 61 fires burning across the state by 9am on Tuesday.
The RFS said more than 500 firefighters were battling the blazes.
Weatherzone’s Ben Domensino posted on X, formerly Twitter, that the same record-breaking temperature was forecast for tomorrow.
“In data dating back to 1859, the city has only reached 34 degrees in September on three occasions (2000, 1980 and 1965),” he wrote.
“This would be its first pair of 34-degree days on record for September.”
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A total of 21 across the South Coast and Central West have closed for today due to the fire danger rating.
The NSW Education Department announced the closures yesterday, saying the decision was made in consultation with the NSW Rural Fire Service.
It came after a total fire ban was issued for Greater Sydney and the Far South Coast.
Below is a list of the 21 schools that are closed today.
- Batemans Bay Public School
- Bega Valley Public School
- Bemboka Public School
- Bermagui Public School
- Bodalla Public School
- Bournda Environmental Education Centre
- Broulee Public School
- Candelo Public School
- Central Tilba Public School
- Cobargo Public School
- Mogo Public School
- Narooma High School
- Pambula Public School
- Parkes Public School
- Quaama Public School
- Sunshine Bay Public School
- Tanja Public School
- Tathra Public School
- Towamba Public School
- Wolumla Public School
- Wyndham Public School
Meanwhile, Queensland is also on high alert ahead of temperatures soaring later in the week.
A heightened fire risk is anticipated tomorrow and Thursday, with temperatures across the state set to soar about 10 degrees above the monthly average.
A fire at Beerwah on the Sunshine Coast is now contained after it burned through 172 hectares.
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