UPDATE: The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a severe thunderstorm warning for the region.
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Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce large hailstones, heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding and damaging winds in the warning area over the next several hours.
Locations which may be affected include Scone, Armidale, Tenterfield, Glen Innes, Inverell, Orange, Mudgee, Bathurst, Katoomba, Tamworth, Gunnedah and Wellington.
EARLIER: A SUMMER storm broke the heat of Tamworth late Saturday night, staging a spectacular light show.
The mercury climbed to a top of 38 degrees on Saturday, before a thunderstorm rolled in to offer a little respite from the ongoing heatwave with some much-needed rain on Saturday night.
Today, Tamworth is forecast to hit a top of 36 degrees with a 70 per cent chance of rain and possible thunderstorms later this afternoon.
The heatwave is expected to stick around for a little longer yet, with temperatures forecast to hit 37 degrees tomorrow, 38 degrees on Tuesday and 39 degrees on Wednesday.
According to the Bureau of Meteorology, it’s set to be the longest run of 35-plus degree days wholly in the month in December since records started at the Tamworth airport in 1992.
It comes as emergency services issue warnings about the heatwave.
NSW Police is urging the communities of Western and Central Western NSW to monitor weather reports and health advice, as NSW is expected to experience its first heatwave of the summer.
The Bureau of Meteorology warns temperatures are generally expected to increase over the weekend and continue into next week.
As the weather heats up, motorists are also reminded it’s not only an offence for children or pets to be left unattended in a vehicle, it can be deadly.
Everyone needs to take care in hot weather, but some people are at higher risk of heat illness, especially if they are older, live alone or are socially-isolated.
HOW TO BEAT THE HEAT:
- Stay well-hydrated
- Avoid alcohol and hot or sugary drinks
- Limit your physical activity
- Try to stay out of the sun during the hottest part of the day
- Wear light, loose-fitting clothing made from natural fibres like cotton
- Regularly check your local forecast from the Bureau of Meteorology on your radio, TV, internet or App
- Get advice from your doctor about whether your medication and/or your medical conditions may affect what you should do if it gets extremely hot
- Make sure you know who you are going to call (who may need help, and who could provide help to you if needed); make a list of telephone numbers and make sure they are current.
