Australian Heatwave: attention moves to NSW

Face facts - this is anthropogenic global warming

NSW: 'Catastrophic conditions': bushfire danger as mercury to hit 45 degrees

• Firefighters face threat levels not seen for years
• Sydney to swelter but heat records safe
• Tasmanian bushfire beaten back
• Heat provides little cheer, but pub has cold beer

SMH ,

5 January, 2013

NSW is facing 'catastrophic' fire conditions that authorities fear will put thousands of lives and homes at risk.

We've got awful conditions coming our way, and people need to be prepared.

Premier Barry O'Farrell made an emphatic appeal to all NSW residents to be fully prepared for the worst as temperatures are set to soar on Tuesday.

"Tomorrow is not just going to be in the 40s, it will perhaps be the worst fire danger the state has ever faced," he said.

"Do what emergency services tell you, particular the rural fire service. Act early.

"Don't just think, 'Tomorrow is another bush fire danger day, tomorrow is another summer's day'. Tomorrow is going to be the worst fire danger day in parts of this state we've ever experienced in history."

In the state's far west the temperature in some towns is predicted to hit 45 degrees, while in Sydney the mercury is forecast to climb to 43 degrees.

Mr O'Farrell urged campers and holidaymakers to leave early Tuesday morning as thousands of fire service personnel would be on heightened standby.

"Rethink your need to be in the bush, have a bush fire plan, be prepared but most importantly make sure you are well away from harm's way," he said.

A total fire ban has been applied for NSW from midnight on Monday while the Shoalhaven and Illawarra area, along with Southern ranges region, are the most at risk, categorised as having catastrophic conditions.

National parks will be closed and nursing homes evacuated as the state sets to sizzle on what could be the hottest day this summer.

Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said strong winds of up to 80km/h would also play havoc for emergency services.

"It's not just the heat and winds but because there is so much dry fuel and little humidity it's going to be a shocking day," he said.

"We have today more than 90 fires and 20 of those remain uncontained."

Lightning has also been responsible for dozens of fires igniting recently.

Mr Fitzsimmons encouraged campers and those in potentially fire affected areas to remain vigilant but act accordingly.

"We're expecting awful conditions tomorrow, monitor your local conditions. Listen to radio. Look at the TV. Access social media. Stay tuned to what's happening," he said.

Alongside firefighters will be 60-70 aircraft on standby to help efforts containing any fire outbreaks.

Police will also be targeting known arsonists as part of their efforts to reduce the chance of fire

If there are any Aussie sceptics left out there, read this:

Heat Waves "Almost Certainly" Due to Global Warming?

"The climate dice are now loaded," NASA's James Hansen says

Cool change coming for a few days before temperature rises again

AS BUSHFIRES rage across Victoria, Tasmania, New South Wales and parts of the Northern Territory, record high temperatures are expected to stay for much of the week.

News.com,

7 January, 2013

The monsoon, which normally provides cloud and rain across northern Australia, has not yet developed

This has resulted in clear summer skies across the country, which has allowed heat to accumulate in the air, according to The Weather Channel meteorologist Dick Whitaker.

Normally that hot air mass would be broken up by southerly changes, but a lack of those winds has created the perfect conditions for this heatwave, the nation’s biggest since 2001.

Weather Bureau meteorologist Vernon Carr said the extent of the warm air was "very, very large".



Tasmania bushfires: the devastated town of Dunalley after bushfires swept through the area. Photo: Chris Kidd/The Mercury

"Even if you do averages (temperatures) across the continent, it was close to record (highs) anyway," he said.

Records for the highest temperatures ever recorded fell in Tasmania and Western NSW as the heatwave took hold late last week.

Mr Whitaker said rain also played a part and the lack of shower activity expected to continue, with the exception of Western Australia.

"In Western Australia yes, there will be rain but in Eastern Australia- there will be very isolated coastal shower activity from the 11th-14th. So nothing substantial really," he said.

"The pattern of hot air is persisting over Australia" he added, though it is heading north.

"In NSW we’re expecting a top of 43 degrees tomorrow, the all-time top was 45.3 degrees in January 1939, the day after the Black Friday fires in Victoria."

"If we get that (43 degrees), it will be the third highest recorded temperature in Sydney."

As the temperature continues to rise to the north, the intensity of the heat should weaken, he added.

"There’s a cool change coming in the early hours of Wednesday morning and that will push that hot air into northern NSW and southern Queensland."

"These changes will weaken as they head north."

Fire-ravaged Tasmanians will get a few days reprieve with today’s top of 29 dropping to 24 tomorrow and 18 degrees on Wednesday.


While much of Australia will get the cool change when it hits early Wednesday, there’s bad news ahead for Western Australia.

Hottest Days

"There’s a tropical low in the Timor sea which we think will wrap into a cyclone," Mr Whitaker said. 


He said the cyclone was likely to hit WA on Thursday.


While the cool change will come as a relief to many, it’s a "temporary respite" according to Mr Carr.


He said the country would be "back to warm conditions at the end of the week."


South Australia can expect temperatures to be back in the high 40s at the end of week.


Mr Carr said the monsoon was not expected to hit until late January.


"That's our pressure valve at the moment."



Weather for the rest of the week:

With a top of 43 expected in Sydney tomorrow, the risk of bushfires in NSW will be extremely high.


Hobart will get a few days respite from the heat with a top of 24 predicted for Wednesday.


Victoria is also out of the woods for now, with lower temperatures expected in the coming days before the mercury rises at the end of the week.


Brisbane will feel the heat from Wednesday when the temperature is set to hit 37 degrees.


Dry and hot conditions will continue in Alice Springs with a top of 43 degrees tipped to last until at least Thursday.