Sydney Endures 40°C Heatwave Ahead of Severe Storms

Temperatures in Sydney reached record highs for the year, with a dramatic cool change and severe weather forecast for the evening.

Temperatures soared to 40°C in central Sydney, with western suburbs like Penrith and Parramatta hitting 42°C, making it the hottest day of the year so far.
The Bureau of Meteorology issued a heatwave warning, with conditions expected to persist until Thursday before cooling significantly midweek.
A dramatic southerly wind change is expected to bring relief this evening, dropping temperatures by up to 15°C within minutes but also bringing damaging winds of up to 100 km/h.
Severe thunderstorms are predicted, with the potential for hail, heavy rain, and further disruptions, including power outages in parts of the city.
State Emergency Service crews have been responding to over 160 calls following a wild storm on Monday night, primarily for downed trees and damaged roofs.