Sydney residents have sweated through its hottest start to summer on record, but relief from the scorching conditions is not expected until next week.
The mercury reached a top of 38.9 degrees in the city centre and 40.3 degrees at the airport yesterday, capping two weeks of very warm conditions in the New South Wales capital.
For every day of the past fortnight in the city, recorded temperatures have been above 26 degrees in the hottest start to summer since records began, reports Weatherzone.
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Sydney's average maximum temperature during the first 14 days of summer was 29.5 degrees, which beats the previous record of 28.9 degrees from the first fortnight of summer in 1976.
Data at Sydney's Observatory Hill dates back to 1859.
The record heat was caused by a stagnant area of high pressure over eastern Australia, which enabled hot air to linger across NSW.
A pool of unusually warm water in the western Tasman Sea also helped limit cooling effects in the city over the past fortnight.
Respite from the heat is not expected until mid-next week. Temperatures are forecast to reach 27 degrees to 33 degrees today.
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After a forecast maximum of 35 degrees next Tuesday, cooler conditions are forecast for the remainder of next week.
Severe heatwave conditions are being felt over coastal parts of the state with a warning in place for the Northern Rivers, Mid North Coast, Hunter, Northern Tablelands and South Coast Districts until tomorrow.
