As the long weekend draws near, many will be looking forward to kicking back, heading to the beach to keep cool and having a drink … or two.
But with a heatwave sweeping over the state, it’s best to be careful about how you cool down.
Sydney will experience temperatures of 34 degrees on Thursday, before hitting 35 degrees on Friday, much higher than the January average of 26 degrees. There will be high humidity, making the temperature feel between 5 and 7 degrees warmer than the forecast.
In the city’s west, temperatures will climb to 37 degrees in Penrith on Thursday, before rising to 39 degrees on Friday.
General practitioner Dr Kate Wylie said January 26 and 27 are the highest heat health risk days as people spend the day in the sun, with a few drinks.
The Doctors for the Environment Australia executive director urged anyone consuming alcohol to keep their fluids up, and to avoid, or at least be conscious of, drinking other diuretics like coffee and tea.
The best way to keep cool is by keeping water intake up, wearing light-coloured clothing and avoiding being outside in the hottest parts of the day – so maybe swap that lunchtime barbeque for an early evening one.
