Sydney weather: Few more sweltering days ahead

Sydney is forecasted to face more sweltering days and warm nights ahead. The week’s heat is expected to be more pronounced in the west of Sydney as Penrith is set to hit 42 degrees on Monday and Tuesday respectively. Meanwhile, Parramatta reaches 36 degrees on Monday and 41 degrees on Tuesday.

Residents can expect a cooler Tuesday afternoon brought by a southerly change. Bureau of Meteorology duty forecaster Andrew Haigh predicted a short reprieve, which may occur just in time as commuters start Tuesday's trip home.

"We'll have a southerly change during the afternoon on Tuesday – that will really be a sharp temperature contrast and cool things down a lot," he said. Therefore, showers and a storm may occur on Tuesday as a result of the change.

In relation to the scorching days, the Bureau of Meteorology has warned about heat-related illnesses through its official website. It advises the public to drink plenty of water and keep the body as cool as possible in order to prevent illnesses that can be obtained from severe heat. The public is also advised to avoid lengthy hours of sun exposure by staying indoors in cool or air-conditioned facilities--either at home or at local shopping centres, libraries and cinemas.

In Jan. 18, a total fire ban was implemented in Sydney and surrounding regions. The ban suspends all fire permits due to hot and windy conditions. Per the NSW Rural Fire Service, the following places are covered by the ban.

• Greater Sydney region (Very High) – All Sydney Metro Councils, Blue Mountains, Central Coast and Hawkesbury
• Illawarra/Shoalhaven (Severe) - Kiama, Shellharbour, Shoalhaven, Wingecarribee, Wollondilly and Wollongong
• Southern Ranges (Severe) - Queanbeyan-Palerang, Goulburn Mulwaree, Upper Lachlan and Yass Valley
• Central Ranges (Severe) - Bathurst, Blayney, Cabonne, Cowra, Lithgow, Mid Western, Oberon and Orange
• Southern Slopes (Severe) - Cootamundra-Gundagai, Hilltops and Snowy Valleys