The heatwave is expected to continue till September 20. The prevailing weather conditions can have an impact on the country’s wheat production
In another episode of extreme weather events, an unprecedented spring heatwave is scorching the southeastern states of Australia.
Sydney, one of the largest cities in Australia, has hit a maximum temperature of over 30°C for 5 consecutive days in September 2023. The maximum temperature in Sydney on September 20 was shown to be 34°C and the current record of 34.6°C set in September 1965 was matched on September 19 this year.
Experts believe that such high temperatures so close to the coast are unusual around this time. Australia officially recognised that the El Nino weather pattern was underway, amid the heatwave. El Nino is linked with higher temperatures, dry conditions and droughts and its presence has already been declared worldwide.
Apart from this, the severe heatwave has also resulted in a “catastrophic” grade fire danger warning for the far south coast of New South Wales, according to a story in the news publication The Guardian.
As of September 19, 2023, 61 fires have been recorded across New South Wales, of which 13 could not yet be contained by the hundreds of firefighters working in the area.
According to news reports, a total fire ban has been issued in Sydney, as state fire service personnel said they are facing the worst fire risk since the “Black Summer” bushfires in 2019. The Black Summer fires burnt more than 46 million acres of land, affected three billion animals and killed at least 33 people.
In light of the intense heatwave and the fire warnings, around 20 schools in the state have been closed. Many of these are in the areas previously affected during ‘Black Summer’, according to Reuters.
The heatwave is expected to continue till September 20. The prevailing weather conditions can have an impact on the country’s wheat production.
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