Sydney severe heatwave to strike today – with temperatures predicted to soar up to 12C above average
Blackout warnings for households along the east coast have been lowered after coal-fired power station operators withdrew planned outages during a forecast heatwave.
Australia’s energy market operator issued a warning on Monday afternoon and Wednesday about the risk of blackouts in NSW and Queensland, when temperatures could reach 40 degrees Celsius in parts of Sydney.
Increased use of air conditioning and generator repairs at three coal-fired power stations in NSW threaten to knock out the electricity grid in some areas.
“High temperatures and strong electricity demand, combined with some outages, mean tight forecasts for electricity supply in NSW tomorrow and Wednesday afternoon,” an operator spokesperson said.
The power company lowered the warnings late Monday afternoon.
“The previously predicted Lack of Reserve Level 3 has been lowered to a less critical Lack of Reserve Level 2,” a spokesperson said.
“This improvement is largely due to the elimination of transmission disruptions in the region.”
The market operator said it would take “all necessary measures” to boost supply if forecasts deteriorated again.
Sydney is bracing for a heatwave that will last until Wednesday
Aussies will be sweltering in the coming days as the energy regulator warns heatwave conditions in one state could lead to rolling blackouts.
Earlier on Monday, power companies were asked to turn off major electricity users and increase supply across the state.
“AEMO has alerted the energy sector and is working with power plant operators and transmission companies to increase electricity availability,” a spokesperson said.
‘If the market response remains inadequate, AEMO will take action to maintain supply.’
NSW Energy Minister Penny Sharpe said people should look out for each other during the heat peak.
She said the government is monitoring any problems with energy supplies.
“You have to drink water, you have to go to the neighbors and think about whether you have to go out in the middle of the day in the blazing sun,” she said.
‘Do you really have to have all the lights on in the house… does the air conditioning have to be set to 19 degrees? You don’t do that.’
The Bureau of Meteorology issued a heatwave warning in NSW and Queensland on Monday that will last until mid-week.
Temperatures in Sydney’s city center are expected to peak at 33 degrees Celsius on Wednesday and could reach 40 degrees Celsius in the north-west suburbs.
The heatwave is forecast to end on Thursday and Friday, with rainy and stormy conditions likely.
The forecasts follow a week of rising temperatures in Victoria, where parts of Melbourne reached 37 degrees Celsius – well above the November average.
Sydney
Tuesday: Mostly sunny. Wind northeast 15 to 20 km/h, becoming light before sunrise, then becoming northeast 20 to 30 km/h by mid-day. Min 20C Max 31C
Wednesday: Sunny morning. There is a moderate chance of showers in the afternoon and evening. Light winds, moderate to 15 to 25 km/h during the day, then light in the evening. Min 21C Max 33C.
Thursday: Partly cloudy. High chance of showers. There is a chance of a thunderstorm in the far west. Light winds, south to southeast 15 to 20 km/h during the afternoon, then light in the evening. Min 22C Max 29C.
Senior meteorologist Sarah Scully said the heat was caused by tropical moisture
Melbourne
Tuesday: Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers. The chance of thunder. Light wind. Min 17C Max 26C.
Wednesday: Partly cloudy. High chance of showers, probably in the morning and afternoon. The chance of thunder. Wind north to northeast 15 to 20 km/h, turning northwest 25 to 35 km/h during the day, then trending northwest to southwest 15 to 20 km/h during the evening. Min 19C Max 27C.
Thursday: Partly cloudy. Moderate chance of showers, probably in the morning and afternoon. Wind northwest to southwest 15 to 20 km/h, trending south to southwest 15 to 25 km/h in the morning, then trending south to southeast 15 to 20 km/h in the evening. Min 17C Max 24C.
Brisbane
Tuesday: Partly cloudy. Small chance of showers, probably in the morning. Light winds, first northeasterly 15 to 20 km/h in the early afternoon, then light in the evening. Min 19C Max 29C.
Wednesday: Partly cloudy. Moderate chance of showers, probably in the morning and afternoon. Light winds, moderate to 15 to 20 km/h during the day, then light in the evening. Min 20C Max 30C.
Thursday: Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers. Light winds, moderate to 15 to 20 km/h during the day, then light in the evening. Min 22C Max 30C.
Canberra
Tuesday: Partly cloudy. Moderate chance of showers, probably in the afternoon and evening. The chance of thunder. Light winds, 20 to 30 km/h in the morning, then light in the evening. Min 16C Max 31C.
Wednesday: Partly cloudy. High chance of showers, probably in the afternoon and evening. The chance of thunder. Light winds becoming northwesterly at 20 to 30 km/h in the morning, then becoming light in the evening. Min 17C Max 31C.
Thursday: Partly cloudy. High chance of showers, probably in the afternoon and evening. The chance of thunder. Light winds becoming northwesterly at 20 to 30 km/h in the morning, then becoming light in the evening. Min 17C Max 31C.
Temperatures could reach 40 degrees Celsius in NSW and Queensland on Tuesday and Wednesday
Adelaide
Tuesday: Partly cloudy. Moderate chance of showers, likely in the late afternoon and evening. The chance of thunder. Light wind, moderate to northwest at 15 to 20 km/h in the morning, then trending west to northwest 15 to 25 km/h in the middle of the day. Min 17C Max 32C.
Wednesday: Partly cloudy. Small chance of showers, probably in the morning. Wind west to northwest 20 to 30 km/h, turning to southwest 25 to 35 km/h in the afternoon. Min 15C Max 24C.
Thursday: Cloudy. Small chance of showers in the morning. Wind southerly 20 to 30 km/h. Min 13C Max 23C.
Darwin
Tuesday: Partly cloudy. High chance of showers, probably in the late morning and afternoon. The chance of thunder. Light wind. Min 26C Max 32C.
Wednesday: Partly cloudy. High chance of showers, probably in the morning and afternoon. The chance of thunder. Light wind. Min 26C Max 33C.
Thursday: Partly cloudy. High chance of showers, probably in the morning and afternoon. The chance of thunder. Light wind. Min 26C Max 33C.
Perth
Tuesday: Sunny. Wind southeast 20 to 30 km/h. Min 11C Max 26C.
Wednesday: Sunny. Wind east to southeast 20 to 30 km/h. Min 12C Max 29C.
Thursday: Sunny. Wind from the east 20 to 30 km/h, light in the evening. Min 17C Max 32C.
Hobart
Tuesday: Partly cloudy. Light winds, first southeasterly 15 to 25 km/h in the early afternoon, then light in the evening. Min 13C Max 23C.
Wednesday: Cloudy. High chance of showers. During the afternoon the wind will be weak from the south to southeast of 15 to 25 km/h. Min 14C Max 22C.
Thursday: Cloudy. Moderate chance of showers, probably in the morning and afternoon. Wind southerly 20 to 30 km/h, turning southeast 15 to 20 km/h in the evening. Min 12C Max 17C.