Sydney set to test high temperature records as heatwave passes

As the snow falls in Beijing, Sydney is sweltering in heat with the mercury set to test temperature records as Australia's heatwave passes.

The forecasted 41 degree Celsius temperature on Friday is less than one degree short of the November record of 41.8 degrees Celsius set in 1982.

The extreme heat has been caused by a cold front moving up from the south of Australia, bringing stormy weather to the southern parts of the nation, meeting a sluggish high pressure system over the Tasman sea that is drawing hot, dry air from central Australia.

"It's a classic scenario of very hot and dry westerly winds with no sea breeze, followed by a blustery southerly change in the evening bringing relief," Bureau of Meteorology NSW Severe Weather Manager Michael Logan said in a statement on Friday.

The duty meteorologist at Weatherzone told Xinhua temperatures will "plummet" by 10 to 12 degrees when the "southerly buster" hits at around 2100 local time (AEDT).

Authorities have been urging local residents to avoid strenuous activity and drink plenty of water to avoid serious harm such as heatstroke and dehydration, suggesting they play it cool like the chimps at Taronga zoo.

The chimpanzees started the day with ice blocks for breakfast, while zoo keepers have hidden ice tea flavoured and raspberry flavoured treats filled with fruits and vegetables around the exhibit for them to discover throughout the morning.

Fire crews are on high alert as the hot and dry conditions bring extreme fire conditions to New South Wales, where a total fire ban is now in place until the threat eases.

Local authorities are investigating a small bushfire in the Blue Mountains on the outskirts of Sydney overnight after it was contained by crews before it took hold.

Meanwhile the estimated damage from the bushfire in Esperance, Western Australia that has killed four people and destroyed 14 buildings has increased to 132,000 hectares on Friday.

Damage assessments are ongoing as access to the fire ground becomes easier and property owners report back, a Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) spokesman told local media on Friday. Endit