Sydney hits its highest temperature recorded since 1939 with Penrith reaching 47.3C

Penrith in Sydney's west reaches a top of 47.3 degrees Celsius, the highest temperature recorded by a weather station in the Sydney metropolitan area in 79 years.

Sydneysiders are flocking to the beach to cope with the heat.

The temperature hit 47.3C at Penrith just after 3:00pm.

The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) early this afternoon said it had confirmed preliminary data and declared it was the highest temperature ever recorded by a weather station in the Sydney metropolitan area.

Read the ABC News story - “Sydney hits its highest temperature recorded since 1939 with Penrith reaching 47.3C.”

Sydney basin likely for 'longest spell' of early season heat

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arts of the Sydney Basin are likely to get their longest spell of early-season heat on record, giving residents and visitors yet more reason to hit the beaches.

Penrith, Bankstown and Richmond could all bask in four consecutive days above 33 degrees in a heatwave that began on Saturday, James Casey, a meteorologist with Weatherzone, said.

Penrith is forecast to reach 37 degrees on both Monday and Tuesday, with Richmond likely to peak at similar levels.

Sydney's Observatory Hill won't be quite that hot but a trio of days 33 degrees or warmer from Sunday to Tuesday, if reached, would be the city's warmest October run since 2004, Mr Casey said.

Read the Sydney Morning Herald story - “Sydney weather: Melting records point to lingering warmth.”