It's getting hot. Parts of NSW are heading towards record high tempteratures, with some children's sporting matches cancelled and Sydneysiders heading for a swim.
And despite the Bureau of Meteorology revising earlier predictions that Sydney would be hit with unusually high November temperatures, people swimming in the eastern suburbs beaches have been treated to another unusual sight - a strange sea fog that has been moving around the Coogee area for much of the day.
A Bureau of Meteorology senior forecaster, Peter Zmijewski, said it was hard to know what was causing the fog, as it would usually occur further out to sea where it was not closely observed.
"Most of the time it is what we call a 'steaming fog', in other words some warm, moist air moving over cooler water," he said. "It could also be caused by cold currents coming through".
Sea fog. Photos and video on our Facebook: https://t.co/gEq6di3Fd1 #SeaFog #Sydney pic.twitter.com/IqTHrQ9e09 — Grill Team (@GrillTeam) November 23, 2014
Mr Zmijewski said Sydney was being protected from the worst of the heat today by a cooling sea breeze, with Observatory Hill currently just under 26 degrees. It is predicted now to reach 29 in Sydney today.
But further out parts of Sydney are starting to bake, with Richmond hitting 44.8 degreesat 1:38pm - the highest temperature for that area since records began in 1939.
Bourke has reached the highest temperatures in NSW, hitting 45.8 degrees at 1:24pm - the second highest temperature on record for November.
Michael Krahe, a waiter at the Diggers on the Darling in Bourke said the town was feeling the heat.
"It's pretty hot," he said from his air-conditioned workplace. "We are just staying inside wherever possible. If you do go outside you do it early, or late at night."
The record top temperature for November is 46.6 degrees. The last time 45.8 was reached was only this month, on Friday the 14th.
#ThisIsAustralia RT @heldavidson: sydney you did good today pic.twitter.com/9e6n1H1krQ — Andrew Heslop (@AndrewHeslop) November 23, 2014
While there have been reports some children's soccer matches have been cancelled, Eric Myatt, the executive officer for the NSW Discrict Cricket Association, said he had not heard of any children's cricket matches being cancelled.
"We manage the games and just keep the drinks flowing," he said. Umpires at each ground would call off matches if it got to hot, as well as using technicques such as sraying players on the field with water, he said.
Tips for staying healthy in the heat
- Remember the very old, very young, as well as people with chronic health problems or obesity are most at risk.
- Drink plenty of water. Remember, older people may be less likely to realise they are thirsty.
- Keep cool-packs in the fridge
- Pick and east or south-facing room to be your "cool room".
- Cover windows with light curtains with pale linings.
Source: NSW Health.
