Crowds of people enjoy the beach as parts of Australia's east reached their hottest day in more than two years amid temperatures which rose to 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit), in Bondi Beach, Sydney, Australia, March 6, 2023.
Australia is baking through a rising heat wave which has been building in the country's outback interior over the weekend and is likely last until Wednesday across the states of South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales.
The Bureau of Meteorology said it expected several early spring records were likely to be broken over the next few days, calling the heat "very uncommon for September".
Temperatures in Sydney's west are expected to hit 36 degrees Celsius (96.8 F) on Monday before dropping to about 22 degrees Celsius (71 F) on Thursday, the weather bureau forecasts showed.
The heat wave has also elevated the risks of fires with several regions given 'high' fire danger ratings, and authorities urging residents to prepare for bushfires.
Persons:
Jaimi, El Nino, Renju Jose, Michael Perry
Organizations:
REUTERS, Rights, Meteorology, Sydney, Thomson
Locations:
Australia's, Bondi Beach, Sydney, Australia, South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales, Sydney's