“A heatwave is not just a normal spike of summer heat, it’s a period of three or more days when the daytime and nighttime temperatures are unusually hot,” Reid said.
Extreme fire danger is forecast on Saturday in Sydney, the Southern Ranges and Monaro Alpine regions down to the border with Victoria.
“Dry thunderstorms with gusty winds will elevate the risk of new fires as well,” Reid said.
While it will be hot, milder winds and recent rain meant a lower fire danger, Rural Fire Service inspector James Morris said.
But people should prepare their properties and ensure they have a plan if a fire approaches.
“Particularly being school holidays and kids are at home,” Morris said.
Keith Greenbank swelters outside his house in Penrith in 40-degree heat early in December.Credit: Sitthixay Ditthavong
“Where are they going to go? Who are they going to contact? It’s really important that everybody in the household knows what they will do in the event of a fire threatening.”
NSW Health Minister Ryan Park said Sydneysiders should avoid exercise during the heat of the day. He urged parents and carers to never leave children in a car for any time as temperatures can soar in minutes.
“That can have catastrophic outcomes for young children,” he said.
“It doesn’t matter whether you’re dropping off something, going to pay for fuel, whatever you’re doing, no child should be left in a car over the next few days.”
Ambulances and emergency departments will be stocked with water, with additional staff to deal with an expected increase in heat-related illness.
Public libraries have been recommended for those looking to escape the heat in the coming days.Credit: Jennifer Soo
Park was confident the state’s power grid could manage as thousands run air-conditioning throughout the hot nights.
Those without air-conditioning at home should go to a nearby shopping centre or public library to keep cool, he said.
For those planning a beach trip, Surf Life Saving NSW general manager Brent Manieri said significant crowds were expected.
“We would advise people as those temperatures soar … wherever possible stay out of the heat and keep cool during those hotter parts of the day.”
He also advised against consuming any alcohol beforehand.
“That will exacerbate any effects from the heatwave but also because we’ve seen such a tragic start to 2026 with seven drownings along our coastline.”
Lifesavers will be working in teams to ensure they get adequate time out of the heat.
Swimmers have been urged to swim at patrolled beaches during the expected heatwave.Credit: Nick Moir
Manieri said swimmers should go to patrolled beaches but, if at an unpatrolled location, people must ensure they have phone coverage, pack sunscreen and floatation devices, and have someone else with them rather than go swimming alone.
SA and Victoria will also experience sweltering conditions on Wednesday.
Melbourne is forecast to reach 42 degrees and inland parts through to the north could reach up to 46 degrees, as the severe heatwaves builds.
Sydneysiders cool off at Cronulla Beach during the December heatwave.Credit: Sam Mooy
Total fire bans are in place in Victoria for the Wimmera, South West and Central regions, including Melbourne and Geelong for the first time this summer.
Victoria’s Emergency Management Commissioner Tim Wiebusch warned of challenging extreme heatwave conditions “not seen since 2019-20”.
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He said there was a very real risk of serious fires starting off the back of underlying dry conditions.
The Royal Australian College of GPs also issued a warning urging the public to prioritise hydration, rest indoors, and check on people more susceptible to heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
“Heat waves can be deadly, and the Bureau of Meteorology has warned that this promises to be the ‘most significant’ heatwave south-eastern Australia has seen in six years,” the college’s president, Dr Michael Wright, said.
Australia experienced its fourth-warmest year on record in 2025, while 2024 was the nation’s second-warmest year.
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