The Red Cross has reminded people to keep an eye on their elderly or isolated neighbours and relatives for the second day of heat tomorrow.
Elderly people, young children and pregnant women are among those who can be worst-affected by heat.
In guidelines on how to keep cool, the Red Cross advises:
- Drink water even when you don't feel thirsty
- Avoid alcohol, tea, coffee and fizzy drinks, as they can dehydrate you
- Eat small meals more often and cold food like fruit
- Stay indoors
- If you need to go outside, wear a hat and sunscreen and bring water. Try to go early in the day
Homeless feeling the heat
Several people called ambulances across the city today for symptoms consistent with heat exhaustion or heat stroke, as the City of Sydney launched its "extreme heat protocol" to help homeless people.
The council, in partnership with St Vincent's Hospital, will help those sleeping rough in the inner city on Tuesday and Wednesday.
The hospital's Homeless Health Team has been handing out water, sunscreen, and information about heat illness to homeless people, and let them know where they can find shade.
St Vincent's said temporary accommodation will be available to anyone who contacts Link2home - a service by Housing NSW - over the two days.
Tonight could be hottest since 1868
As the day's heat slowly recedes, it's expected to drop to a minimum of 26 degrees overnight, according to Bureau of Meteorology forecasts.
This minimum temperature could become the hottest overnight minimum in 148 years.
Sydney's record minimum temperature for December, 26.3 degrees, was set on Christmas Day 1868.
Miranda Langton, a meteorologist at the Bureau, said there is a "good chance we could break that".
Temperatures remain high late in the day
Temperatures are still sweltering this late in the day, with parts of the city recording temperatures in the high 30s as afternoon turns to evening.
Richmond, Sydney Olympic Park, Bankstown, Horsley Park and Penrith all remained over 37 degrees at 6.10pm, figures from the Bureau of Meteorology show.
At the same time, the suburbs of Lucas Heights, Holsworthy, Campbelltown and Camden remained at more than 36 degrees.
Meanwhile, Sydney Harbour was a mild 24.5 degrees, as were other coastal destinations including Newcastle's Nobbys Beach, which recorded 25.4 degrees at 6.10pm.
West to get some relief as sea breeze moves in
The highest temperatures for Sydney appeared in the city's west in the mid-afternoon, with a sweltering 39.6 degrees recorded at Richmond just before 4pm.
This temperature was almost matched by Penrith, with 39.5 degrees at 4.14pm, and at Horsley Park with the same temperature four minutes later.
Sydney Airport, Sydney Olympic Park, Bankstown and Holsworthy also managed to crack 39 degrees.
Kim Westcott, a meteorologist with Fairfax Media's Weatherzone, said the CBD managed to climb to 37.8 degrees.
In the afternoon, a sea breeze kicked in, bringing about several degrees of difference in temperature between the east and the west.
"The north-easterly sea breeze has come in, and it's definitely in the city," Ms Westcott said just after 5.40pm.
"That sea breeze may eventually reach the west, then they'll see some kind of cooling from this afternoon."
However, she said the cooling effect would not be too dramatic, as the sea breeze weakens as it moves inland.
Back to topThe fire in Abermain and Neath is burning near power lines, which has cut off power to those suburbs and to nearby Weston.
#Abermain / #Neath Fire: The fire is burning near powerlines which has caused the loss of power in areas including Abermain, Weston & Neath. pic.twitter.com/vrcDyCwAFT
— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) December 13, 2016
Fairfax Media photographer Perry Duffin has filed some incredible photos from the scene.
Photo: Perry Duffin
Photo: Perry Duffin
Photo: Perry Duffin
Photo: Perry Duffin
Bushfire threat downgraded
There's some good news for people living in Abermain and Neath.
The bushfire threat in their area has been downgraded to Watch and Act, from the Emergency warning earlier this afternoon.
Firefighters say they're starting to get the upper hand on the two fires, which have partially joined together.
WATCH & ACT: #Abermain / #Neath Fire - https://t.co/sINvTFKE6X Firefighters are slowly gaining the upper hand. #nswfires #NSWRFS
— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) December 13, 2016
Residents - especially those in the areas of Charles Street, York Street, Ridley Street and Carrs Road - are still being told to keep an eye on the conditions and watch for embers.
As well as tackling the fires, firefighters are also taking care of local injured wildlife.
.@FRNSW fire fighter helping injured possum at #Abermaine bushfire. @nbnnews pic.twitter.com/w3pFBezunR
— Renee Fedder (@reneefedder) December 13, 2016
Total fire ban
A total fire ban has been declared for the Greater Sydney region until midnight Wednesday night.
#Abermain / #Neath Fire: This video footage was taken about an hour ago by a #NSWRFS chopper fighting the fire. #nswfires pic.twitter.com/Fb4fiYLkxA
— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) December 13, 2016
On these hot summer days, a bottle of sunscreen can be your best friend.
But do you actually know what's in it, and why it protects your skin?
What is sunscreen?
How does it work, and what do the numbers on a sunscreen bottle really mean?
There are currently two separate fires in the area of Abermain and Neath in the Cessnock area. One fire is burning to the north of Carrs Road heading south east towards Carrs Road, Neath.
The second fire is burning near Forbes Street, moving towards Charles Street.
The RFS has now reported that it is too late to leave for residents in Carrs Road, Charles Road and York Street.
An Emergency Alert telephone has been sent for the fire.
#Abermain / #Neath Fire: It is too late to leave for residents in Carrs Rd, Charles Rd & York St. Seek shelter as the fire approaches.
— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) December 13, 2016
Feeling six degrees cooler? You can thank the sea breeze for that.
What a difference a sea breeze makes.. From 37.5 at Observatory Hill at 1pm to 31.4 now. Find #Sydney temps at https://t.co/SpIcD1woOI
— BOM New South Wales (@BOM_NSW) December 13, 2016
Workers across Sydney are counting down the hours until day's end.
Working in a heatwave
Sydney workers count down the clock, hoping to catch the remaining rays of Tuesdayâs heatwave.
Fire burning near Oaklands. Fanned by strong, hot northerly winds. @NSWRFS crews on way. @bordermail pic.twitter.com/EQAlU9E89Q
— David Johnston (@david_johnston5) December 13, 2016
Sydney has clocked its hottest December day in 11 years as north-westerly winds from the hot interior kept sea breezes at bay.
The city's temperature reached 37.8 degrees - or almost two degrees more than forecast - just after 1pm. So far the hottest inland site has been Richmond with 38.8 degrees recorded a few minutes earlier.
Miranda Langton, a meteorologist at the Bureau of Meteorology, said there are only light sea breezes so far along the coastal fringe.
The warmer-than-tipped maximum has prompted the bureau to raise its forecast for the overnight minimum to come to 26 degrees.
Sydney's record high minimum temperature for December is 26.3 degrees, set all the way back in 1868.
"There is a good chance we could break that," Ms Langton said.
Winter playground in a heatwave
Tasmanian Devils Marley and Moose, at the Australian Reptile Park were treated to a Christmas cool down treat in Sydney's heat wave on Tuesday.
Back to top
Sydney Morning Herald photographers have been out and about in the heat today, capturing the city as it sizzles.
Power watch
Given the recent electricity supply issues in South Australia, there's naturally some interest in how our power network is coping with heat that is as broadspread as today's.
Weatherzone estimates today is the first time since the National Electricity Market was set up 23 years ago that all capitals from Hobart to Brisbane, and Adelaide to Sydney, are above 28 degrees.
Even with some of those capitals well above that mark, the network is coping just fine. (See chart below from Energy Consumers Australia.)
The RFS has extended its request to cease harvesting, to the following areas.
Stay safe NSW.
#NSWRFS requests farmers in the Bland Temora, MIA, Mid Murray, Riverina & Southern Border areas cease harvest due to current conditions. pic.twitter.com/mU4EJUo7Cm
— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) December 13, 2016
There is no better way to cool off during summer than going for a swim in one of Sydney's beautiful swimming holes.
And if you are lucky enough to have today off work, now is your chance to enjoy them.
(If you don't - write these down for future reference.)
Filip Stempien takes a look at a different swimming hole from every side of the city.
With temperatures now past 37 degrees in Sydney's west, residents will be suffering the urban heat island effect.
The effect occurs when paved ground surfaces transport more solar heat downwards than soil. This heat is then released overnight.
For a quick refresher:
Urban Heat Island Effect: an explainer
Why are Sydney's western suburbs heating up so much? We explore the the Urban Heat Island Effect.
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