Total fire ban across greater Sydney

A total fire ban was in place across greater Sydney on Monday with temperatures soaring above thirty five degrees Celsius in the city's west.

Extreme fire danger from heat and storms

The Bureau of Meteorology said Sydney faced extreme fire danger due to hot, dry conditions and the chance of thunderstorms, with little rainfall expected.

Temperatures well above average for October

Mount Druitt was predicted to hit thirty seven degrees Celsius. By Monday evening, Parramatta reached thirty four point five degrees and Olympic Park recorded thirty five point two degrees.

Hottest day in several months

Angus Hines, a senior meteorologist with the Bureau of Meteorology, said it definitely was one of the hottest days in several months.

“It definitely is one of the hottest days in several months.”

Dry lightning poses real problem

Trent Curtin, the commissioner of the NSW Rural Fire Service, warned that severe thunderstorms were expected across large parts of New South Wales with little rain, so dry lightning starting fires would be a real…

“We don't think we're going to see a whole lot of rain with that today, so that dry lightning starting fires out in the west and through the middle parts of NSW is going to be a real problem.”

El Niño driving record September heat

Monday's extreme heat follows Australia's second-hottest September on record, spurred by a strengthening El Niño. Climate scientist Dr Linden Ashcroft said there's only one clear driver of this and that's climate change.

“There's only one clear driver of this and that's climate change.”

More hot days expected ahead

Angus Hines said El Niño was likely to push up maximum and minimum temperatures over the next several months. He said there's plenty of summer left.

“There's plenty of summer left.”