Ace Breaking News – In short: Sydney has recorded its hottest March night weather in 149 years, with temperatures only dropping to 25.9 degrees Celsius. High temperatures were recorded across the city on Saturday and are predicted to be near 38C across parts of the western suburbs on Sunday.

What’s next?

A cool change is forecast to come across the city on Monday.

Sydney has sweltered through its hottest March night on record in 149 years, with temperatures only dropping to 25.9 degrees Celsius.

The previous record in 1876 peaked at 25.4C.

Sydney’s Saturday night low temperature was higher than equatorial Singapore, which recorded 25.6C.

At midnight, the temperature at Penrith was still 25.1C. It was 26.6C at Richmond and Terrey Hills recorded 27.1C.

The new record comes amid a warning by the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) for soaring temperatures and strong winds today, and the issuing of a total fire ban for NSW.

“The heat is very much on for New South Wales,”

BOM senior forecaster Jonathan How said.

“It’s a little bit off the all-time March record, which is 40 degrees, but certainly is very, very hot.”

A wave of high temperatures this weekend has been recorded across the country’s south-east, including Sydney. (ABC News: Timothy Ailwood)normal

Hot westerly winds will also drive up temperatures on the coast, with Bondi expected to reach 36C, while heatwave conditions will continue to be felt across the Illawarra, Southern Tableland and South Coast.

“It is set to set soar to 37 degrees today, also 37 to 38 in Western Sydney. But with those strong winds, we are expecting to see extreme fire danger across Sydney,” Mr How said.

Parts of inland NSW were expecting temperatures of up to 40C.

Residents across the state have been warned to stay indoors and hydrated.

Some parts of Western Sydney are forecast to hit 38C. (ABC News: Victoria Pengilley)normal

NSW Ambulance Chief Superintendent Steve Vaughan said they expected around 3,500 triple-0 calls on Sunday, with a number related to the conditions.

“The last two or three days have been quite busy for New South Wales ambulance with over 3,800 triple zero calls received on Friday, and 3,600 triple zero calls received yesterday [Saturday], which is a 13 per cent increase over the same time last year,” Chief Superintendent Vaughan said.

“If you do need to be outside, make sure you have plenty of water with you, you’re drinking regularly, you’re seeking shade as much as possible.”

A total fire ban is in place for NSW. (ABC News: Victoria Pengilley)normal

Fire ban in place across parts of the state

The combination of the high temperatures and windy conditions have sparked an elevated risk of fire across the city and state’s south. 

Total fire bans have been put in place ranging from Central NSW, Greater Sydney, down to Yass and the Snowy Valleys.

“Those areas are also going to be in a total fire ban today, which means no fires in the open, because the last we want to see on a day like today is new fires,”

NSW Rural Fire Service spokesperson Emily Koek said.

“We are expecting strong north-westerly winds, combined with that heat that we’re seeing move across the state, it does make for dangerous fire conditions.”

Ms Koek said the NSW Rural Fire Service had responded to the risk with aircraft pre-positioned across the state. 

“And we also have our volunteers ready as well, to respond.”

A cool change was expected to sweep through around midnight, bringing strong winds and showers to south-west Sydney.

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