"This week is likely to be Sydney's hottest on record as western suburbs swelter in seven days of 35-degree heat, and the city endures six days of temperatures above 30 degrees.

'By Saturday, some Sydneysiders may have become heat-stressed due to prolonged heat and humidity. Heatwave records are likely to be broken.' " Thus spake weatherzone.com.au meteorologist Brett Dutschke, who predicted that this run would beat the previous record of 5 day runs that have been recorded several times in the 150 years or so of formal record keeping.

It was a relatively dry heat today (a distinct haze (not visible in this shot because of the close range) notwithstanding), but the forecast is for thunderstorms tomorrow. Unfortunately those will cool the air only transiently but pump the humidity up to sauna levels without raising a sweat. Except on us, we'll raise a sweat in no uncertain terms.

"Humidity will become a big factor by the end of the week, adding to heat stress and making nights uncomfortable for sleeping. Sydney may have its warmest night in more than a decade", according to Dutschke.

The harsh light and strong shadows in this shot tell the story for those who have ever been exposed to Australian light. On a day like today, the ornamental stone seat is probably a place best bypassed if you wish to avoid broiling your backside.

(For USAians, 36 is just under 97F. 30C is 86F. 40, the expected temperature in the Western Suburbs is 104, and Roxby Downs in South Australia which hit 48.5 last Tuesday? About 119.)

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