Australia is feeling the burn! 🔥 On Sunday, vast regions baked under a blistering heat wave, with temperatures soaring above 40°C in some areas. Authorities are issuing warnings, labeling bushfire risks as 'extreme' during this high-stakes fire season.
The heat wave has set off alerts across New South Wales—the country's most populous state—as well as the Australian Capital Territory, Northern Territory, and Western Australia. The mercury's rising, and so is the concern over wildfires.
What's fueling this fiery situation? El Niño is back in action! 🌊 This climate pattern brings unusually warm Pacific Ocean temperatures, stirring up trouble like cyclones, droughts, wildfires, and, you guessed it, heat waves.
In western Sydney, temperatures hit a sizzling 39°C—almost 10 degrees above the February average. Talk about turning up the heat! 🥵
Combine these scorching temps with dry conditions and gusty winds, and you've got a recipe for disaster. Forecasters have issued \"extreme fire danger\" warnings for parts of Victoria and South Australia states. Stay safe out there, mates!
Reference(s):
Australia sweats through heat wave, bushfire risk rated 'extreme'
cgtn.com
