Even Australians are wilting as Sydney records a new record temperature of 45.8 C (114F) yesterday. This beat the previous record of 45.3C, which has stood since 1939, with both temperatures being recorded at Observatory Hill.

 

Officials have issued warnings that people should avoid strenuous activity and stay out of the sun wherever possible. The emergency services have received numerous calls as people feel the heat, dizziness, fainting and vomiting being common symptoms. “People tend to underestimate the effects heat has, and at the same time overestimate their own ability in the current conditions, especially the younger and fitter members of the population”, one Chief Superintendant told an interviewer. Although in fact it’s the elderly and ill who are more likely to be affected.

 

Even the local railway network has been affected as wiring has been damaged by the record temperatures, it is advising its customers to carry water with them at all times as disruption of services could mean delays.

 

In fact the heatwave all across Australia has meant that the Bureau of Metrology has had to add a new shade to its colour coded temperature chart to allow for temperatures above 50 C.

 

However, it’s all set to end over the weekend as a series of thunderstorms is forecast for the Sydney area which will see temperatures drop significantly. So they go from t-shirts and shorts to waterproofs!!