Heat still on as worst winds are yet to come - INFERNO AVERTED: [1 Edition]
Stapleton, John. The Australian [Canberra, A.C.T] 31 Dec 2001: 4.
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Abstract
Mr [Don White] said the pattern occurred about every 11 years, always coinciding with large bush fires. He said an identical pattern had occurred in 1957, 1968, 1979, 1990 and 2001. The year 1994, which also saw the same conditions, was the only variation to the pattern.
"It is a combination of low humidity and gusty winds, rather than temperatures alone. The conditions on Tuesday would not be disastrous on their own, but thefact that we already have fires means the winds are perfect for fanning the fires we already have."
WHILE Armageddon didn't quite arrive on Sunday, all hell could break loose tomorrow, at least in weather terms.
Hot, dry and gusty conditions are being forecast.
There is no rain in sight.
Nor is there any significant rain forecast until at least the middle of next week -- and that is at the earliest.
There has been no rain in Sydney since December 19.
But tomorrow is the day of biggest concern.
This is because the hot gusty westerly winds are expected to be at their worst.
Spokesman for consultancy firm Weatherwatch, Don White, said: "The problem is freshening, probably very dry winds and temperatures in the western suburbs well into the 30s.
"It is a combination of low humidity and gusty winds, rather than temperatures alone. The conditions on Tuesday would not be disastrous on their own, but thefact that we already have fires means the winds are perfect for fanning the fires we already have."
Forecasters are hoping that despite the dry conditions stretching out at least for another week, the fire danger may begin to ease from tomorrow with a shift in wind directions.
The wind is expected to tend more from the southwest, with southeasterly sea breezes also producing cooling later in the week.
Mr White said the present conditions were caused by a series of strong low pressure systems over the Southern Ocean pushing unseasonal westerlies across the eastern seaboard.
Mr White said the pattern occurred about every 11 years, always coinciding with large bush fires. He said an identical pattern had occurred in 1957, 1968, 1979, 1990 and 2001. The year 1994, which also saw the same conditions, was the only variation to the pattern.
"The authorities should learn from this predictability," he said.
"We have to consider our policies on tree preservation in urban areas. Authorities should accept that this will happen again within the next 11 years and look at policies surrounding hazard reduction."
A total fire ban is in force throughout the Sydney region, with high to extreme fire danger warnings in place.
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