Sydney marathon runners expected to battle high temperatures and smoke as hottest September temperatures in six years hit Australia’s east coast
The hottest September temperatures in six years, combined with smoke haze from burnoffs, threaten to make conditions uncomfortable for runners in a major city marathon this weekend, as Australia’s east coast gets an early taste of summer.
Marathon runners in Sydney will face temperatures of up to 30 degrees Celsius and air quality currently among the worst in the world on Sunday as firefighters burn excess fuel in the city ahead of the summer fire season.
It is estimated that around 40,000 people will participate in the event.
‘The safety and wellbeing of our participants is our top priority, and we are working closely with key stakeholders including the Rural Fire Service (RFS) and the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) to ensure the highest safety standards are implemented ‘, Sydney Marathon Race Director Wayne Larden said in a statement.
Temperatures well above September average will hit Australia’s east coast this weekend.
Sydney will face five days of temperatures above 30 degrees Celsius, starting with 32 degrees Celsius on Saturday and continuing until Thursday when a southerly change is expected.
In Western Sydney, temperatures could reach 35 degrees Celsius in some areas on Monday and Tuesday.
“The heat in Sydney on Monday and Tuesday could be in the mid-30s, which would be the city’s hottest September weather in six years,” Sky News Weather meteorologist Alison Osborne told NCA Newswire.
Most of Australia has an 80 percent chance of reaching above-average temperatures in spring
High temperatures combined with sunny skies will lead to a warm weekend in Sydney (photo, Balmoral Beach)
Melbourne and Brisbane will be cooler than Sydney, with temperatures in the early to mid 20s, although the Queensland capital is expected to reach a scorching 34 degrees Celsius next Thursday.
People are being urged to keep an eye on the elderly and very young in the warmer conditions.
“People over 65, people with chronic medical conditions and babies and young children are particularly sensitive to the heat,” said Dr Jeremy McNulty from NSW Health.
Despite the high temperatures that will feel like a heatwave, Weatherzone meteorologist Josh Rout said a crucial factor is to prevent the event from being officially declared.
“It’s not a heatwave because a heatwave needs maximum and minimum temperatures to be above average,” he told Daily Mail Australia.
‘High temperatures could be 10 degrees above average this week, but overnight minimum temperatures will remain at average, giving people a chance to cool down.’
Although Australians dodged a heatwave this weekend, the Bureau of Meteorology warned the coming months will be hotter and drier.
The long-term forecast for October through December showed temperatures above average, while rainfall in August was below average – a trend the Bureau said will continue through the end of the year.
Marathon runners in Sydney will face temperatures of up to 30 degrees Celsius and air quality currently among the worst in the world on Sunday as firefighters burn excess fuel in the city ahead of the summer fire season
“October to December is likely to be drier than average in most areas, with little shifts inland, across northern parts of Australia,” the report said.
‘Unusually low rainfall is at least twice as likely for parts of southwestern WA, central Queensland, southeastern South Africa, southern and northeastern Victoria and western Tasmania. Unusually low rainfall corresponds to the driest 20% of the October to December periods from 1981 to 2018.
‘Daytime temperatures are very likely to be above average for most of Australia.
‘For October to December, above average maximum temperatures are very likely (greater than 80% chance) for almost all of Australia.
“Warmer than average nights are also very likely in most areas.”
‘Australia’s climate has warmed by about 1.47°C from 1910 to 2021, leading to an increase in the frequency of extreme heat events. In South Australia, cool-season rainfall (April to October) has declined by 10 to 20% in recent decades, the report said.
October to December rainfall is likely (60 to 80% chance) below average for much of Australia
This weekend, north-west New South Wales and south-west Queensland are expected to bear the brunt of the heat.
Sydney will be the hottest of the capitals, with sunny weather forecast all weekend, followed by Brisbane.
The Queensland capital is expected to be cloudy on Saturday before skies clear for a sunny Sunday.
Melbourne and Adelaide will be largely unaffected by the heatwave-like event, but will still see warm weather.
The maximum temperature in Melbourne is expected to remain around 20 degrees Celsius throughout the weekend, while Adelaide will see a top of 24 degrees Celsius on Saturday and 29 degrees Celsius on Sunday.
Temperatures in Canberra are expected to be similar to Melbourne, with a high of 24ºC on Saturday and 25ºC on Sunday.
The heat is expected to last until the middle of next week, after which a cold front will move in.
“Temperatures will remain above average until a cool change occurs Wednesday through Thursday,” Rout said.
‘Cooler air will spread across South Australia, Victoria and southern Queensland. The change will reach the New South Wales coast on Thursday.”
However, the weather will be much wetter in Western Australia due to a cold front moving through the state.
Heatwave-like conditions will affect eastern Australia until a cold front arrives on Wednesday
Showers combined with temperatures of around 20ºC are expected to linger over Perth through Saturday before skies become clear to cloudy on Sunday.
Hobart is also expected to have cloudy weather on Friday before showers develop on Saturday.
That rain will clear on Saturday, leaving cloudy skies before showers move across the Tasmanian capital again on Tuesday.
Darwin residents are still waiting for the start of the Top End’s infamous wet season, with sunny skies and temperatures in the low to mid 30s Celsius forecast through next week.