Soaring temperatures forecast as health authorities urge COVID-19 caution
Sydney's beaches were packed with people enjoying fine conditions on the weekend as NSW Health called upon the community to maintain vigilance and avoid crowds despite a run of eight days without COVID-19 transmission.
Coogee Beach in the eastern suburbs saw a sea of sunbathers, with others submerging themselves in the rock pool to cool off, as continued physical distancing, hand hygiene and testing is still encouraged.
Swimmers cooling off in the Coogee Beach rock pool during a spell of fine weather in Sydney.Credit:James Alcock
"Though there have been no locally acquired cases in NSW in recent days, now is not the time to drop our guard," a NSW Health spokesperson said.
While the majority of the state experienced sunny weather and clear skies on Sunday, the high temperatures are expected to escalate on Monday, climbing up to 34 degrees in Sydney, 34.5 in Mascot, 39 in Parramatta and 41.5 in Penrith, the highest expected reading this season.
Weather bureau meteorologist Bimal KC said the hot, dry conditions were moving in ahead of a southerly cold front bringing "fresh and gusty winds".
"We’re expecting shower and thunderstorm activity with the front," Mr KC said, adding the forecast rainfall was expected to be just a few millimetres.
He said the change would bring minimum overnight temperatures to about 18 degrees in the Sydney basin ahead of milder temperatures and showers along the eastern part of the state, with the mercury staying in the low 20s during the middle of the week before climbing to 31 in Sydney on Friday.
Damaging winds were forecast for the state's alpine region on Sunday night, with wind speeds reaching up to 120 km/h above 900 metres.
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Angus Thompson is an Urban Affairs reporter for The Sydney Morning Herald.