Power blackouts could hit parts of NSW and Queensland this week, with western Sydney estimated to hit 40C on Tuesday and Wednesday.
The severe heat wave will bring the warmest spring on record for the past four years.
The heatwave is expected to hit Sydney, the Hunter and Illawarra regions. The Central Coast, North Central Coast and South Coast are also expected to be affected.
How hot will it be and how long will it last?
The spring heatwave will see temperatures soar into the 40s across Sydney.
Parts of western Sydney, including Penrith and Richmond, are expected to hit 40C on Wednesday.
Eastern Sydney will experience a low intensity heatwave with lows of 20C and highs above 30C.
The hottest period will be Wednesday when it will reach 33 degrees.
Gosford, on the Central Coast, will reach 31C on Tuesday and 34C on Wednesday, while Nowra, on the NSW south coast, will be even hotter, reaching 34C on Tuesday and 35C on Wednesday.
The forecast is above the spring average, with Richmond a full 12°C above the November average maximum of 27°C and Sydney 7°C above the monthly average of 24°C.
Temperatures are expected to drop on Friday, with Sydney expected to be drenched in rain for the rest of the week.
Why might there be blackouts?
Increased air conditioning use and generator repairs at three NSW coal-fired power stations threaten to shut down the grid in some areas.
“High temperatures and strong electricity demand, combined with some generation disruptions, are causing a tight forecast for electricity supply in NSW tomorrow and Wednesday afternoon,” a spokesperson for the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) said.
Planned outages at a number of these coal plants have been averted after the operator issued a warning that low energy reserves could see huge parts of NSW and Queensland hit by blackouts.
The combination of increased air conditioning use and generator repairs at three NSW coal-fired power stations has raised concerns about potential grid disruptions in some areas. But AEMO confirmed on Monday that the worst had been avoided.
“AEMO remains focused on maintaining electricity reliability in both New South Wales and Queensland this week, as high temperatures are expected to drive strong energy demand against a backdrop of significant generation unavailability in NSW,” it said. reads in a note.
But there are still concerns that power outages could occur.
The energy operator has issued a warning for a projected shortfall of reserve (LOR) in the two states from Tuesday to Wednesday afternoon, with NSW covering the highest risk level, a forecast LOR 3.
This was later downgraded to less critical LOR 2.
Blackouts are most likely to occur between 3.30pm and 7.30pm, with people urged to limit their energy use if it is safe to do so.
NSW Energy Minister Penny Sharpe has urged residents to reconsider their energy consumption.
“Do you really need to have all the lights on in the house … do you need to have the air conditioning at 19 degrees? You don’t,” he said.
Here’s how to stay safe during a heat wave
People have been warned to stay safe during the severe heatwave, which can be particularly dangerous for many people, including pregnant women, newborns, the elderly and people with medical conditions.
“You should drink water, you should check on your neighbors and you should think about whether you need to go out in the middle of the day in the hot sun,” Sharpe said.
Residents have also been encouraged to reconsider their use of energy and air conditioning during the period to relieve pressure on the system, but only if it is safe for them to do so.
Here are some tips for dealing with a heat wave:
- Use air conditioning or a fan.
- Opt for light, loose-fitting clothing.
- Keep your skin wet by using a spray bottle or damp sponge.
- Take cool showers or foot baths with fresh tap water.
- Wrap the ice cubes in a damp towel and wrap them around your neck.
- Consider spending time in interesting places like malls or air-conditioned libraries.
- Avoid strenuous physical activity.
With additional reporting from AAP.
