Blistering Hot Down Under

Ugh!:

Sydney has sweltered through its hottest day in almost 80 years with the mercury in Penrith hitting 47.3C.

Much of Sydney reached its peak temperature about 3pm on Sunday, with the city’s west bearing the brunt of the heat. Richmond reached 46.3C just after 2.30pm while the temperature in Bankstown exceeded 45C.

...The New South Wales Rural Fire Service warned residents to prepare their bushfire plans. If people are considering leaving their homes they should leave early, the RFS said.

Temperatures hit 43.4C at Sydney’s Observatory Hill just after 1pm.