AN extreme heatwave is on its way to the region with temperatures set to soar into the 40s for almost every Central West location.
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Residents may be familiar with hot temperatures each December, but so far this one has been hotter than usual.
Most towns and cities in the region have seen the mercury rise to around 10 degrees above the long term average for the month.
On Monday and Tuesday this week, the mercury will hover in the early 30s for many locations, but on Wednesday it will begin its climb with Saturday predicted to be the hottest day this week.
It will soar to 45 degrees in Dubbo, Forbes and Wellington on Saturday; it'll be a tad cooler at 44 degrees in Cowra, Grenfell, Mudgee, Parkes and Young.
A maximum of 42 degrees is predicted for Bathurst and Oberon, 40 in Orange and 39 in Lithgow.
A total fire ban is in place for the Central Ranges on Monday, with these councils included in the ban: Bathurst, Blayney, Cabonne, Cowra, Lithgow, Mid-Western, Oberon and Orange.
Meanwhile, Bells Line of Road remains closed to traffic as firefighters battle the huge Gospers Mountain bushfire that is threatening Blue Mountains towns.
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Nadine Morton
Nadine Morton covers emergency services and breaking news for the Illawarra Mercury. She takes pride in regional journalism which she believes is crucial to informing our towns and cities. Have a story? Email her at nadine.morton@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Nadine Morton covers emergency services and breaking news for the Illawarra Mercury. She takes pride in regional journalism which she believes is crucial to informing our towns and cities. Have a story? Email her at nadine.morton@austcommunitymedia.com.au
