Sydney weather: Fire threat upgraded as NSW braces for unprecedented conditions

The NSW Rural Fire Service has upgraded the fire threat in parts of the state amid warnings of "catastrophic conditions" that are expected to take hold around midday.

As NSW faces the "worst possible fire conditions" in its history with 'extreme' and catastrophic' warnings in place across large slabs of the state, RFS Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said the situation was as "bad as it gets" and warned it was set to get worse on Sunday when winds are expected to sweep through scorched parts of mid to northern NSW. 

Read the story in today’s Melbourne Age - “Sydney weather: Fire threat upgraded as NSW braces for unprecedented conditions.”

'Don't fret' - the warm weather's here to stay

The Sydney Morning declares the unfolding
weather conditions will be perfect for a dip.

Can't make it to the beach because of work?

Don't fret. For those with some time, there's some excellent seaside weather ahead for this weekend - and all the way through to the next one.

"We've got a blocking high pressure system in the Tasman Sea, and that is what's causing this patch of unusually warm weather," Rob Sharpe, a meteorologist at Weatherzone, said.

"We're not going to see any [cold] fronts in the next week and a half."

Most days for next week will have the mercury nudging 30 degrees in the city, and several degrees warmer in the western suburbs. Ocean temperatures off Sydney are sitting on a mild 24 degrees.

Read the story in today’s Sydney Morning Herald – “Sydney weather: No end in sight for unusual early autumn heat.”