Lithgow is set for a scorching week of high temperatures with the mercury forecast to sit above 30 degrees for the majority of the week.
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Sunday hit 30.2 degrees, yesterday hit 32 degrees at around 1pm, with 31 degrees forecast for today and 32 on Wednesday.
There will be lull on Thursday with only 27 degrees predicted before heading up to 34 degrees on Friday, with Saturday rounding out the week with 30.
It is way above Lithgow’s January mean of 26 degrees at the current Cooerwull weather station.
The warmer weather has continued on from December’s above average temperatures, with 26 days over the 23.9 degree mean including eight days five degrees or more above.
The NSW Rural Fire Service has issued warnings ahead of this week’s heatwave with temperatures set to hit 45 degrees in some places in the state.
Chifley/Lithgow RFS has warned of an increased risk of grass fires, due to recent rain and vegetation growth.
“While the rain has been welcome, it’s also brought an unwelcome threat of grass fires across the Chifley/Lithgow Team area,” Superintendent Greg Sim (pictured) said.
“We have had above average rainfall during the past six months which is fantastic for farmers but it has also caused a significant increase in vegetation growth like crops and grass.
“Several grass fires have started in the area in recent weeks.
“With the grass now curing or drying out, the landscape is becoming more susceptible to fire and it’s a threat we haven’t seen to this extent for some time.”
