Sydney weather: City prepares for hottest summer in 120 years, temperatures to likely rise

Sydney is bracing for the hottest summer of the last 120 years. Until Tuesday, as many as seven days have seen temperatures rise over 35 degrees Celsius.

If the mercury levels soar beyond that mark for one more day, it could level with the record of 1896. On Tuesday, Sydney is expected to experience 38 degrees Celsius. On the other hand, the city’s west will likely witness the temperature reaching 40 degrees Celsius.

"We'll most likely be standing at eight days (above 35C) by the end of today with a fair bit of the summer to go to try and at least equal that long-standing record," Bureau of Meteorology forecaster Rob Taggart said, as reported by AAP (via News Corp). The temperatures for nights have already established a new record – going beyond 24 degrees Celsius four times. The previous best was set in the summer of 2010.

Possible thunderstorms across the city by late afternoon on Tuesday will offer a brief respite. The temperatures on Wednesday, and the remainder of the week, will experience a much-needed drop. “Things are set to cool down for the rest of the week. We're expecting 26 degrees Celsius tomorrow (Wednesday) - more than 10 degrees Celsius cooler than today (Tuesday),” Taggart said.

Although the cool front will bring relief to Sydney over this week, a mass of warm air to the west of the state's Great Dividing Range will likely persist. For Thursday, the Condobolin forecast predicts the temperature reaching 37 degrees Celsius.

Adelaide will likely see rainfall, resulting in bright sunny days on Wednesday and Australia Day. The city of Melbourne will also have a cool Australia day, with the temperature reaching a pleasant 24 degrees Celsius. Brisbane is expected to record warmer mercury levels at 30 degrees Celsius.

Temperatures in Sydney will witness a rise over the weekend. Maximum temperatures across areas in New South Wales will reach 41 degrees Celsius.