The Bureau of Meteorology issued a severe heatwave warning for Penrith, ahead of a December week with three days over 35°C. Severe heatwaves can be dangerous for many people, especially older people, babies, children, pregnant and breastfeeding women, people with medical conditions and people who are unwell.

Penrith has a historic baseline averaging 13 days over 35°C per year (based on 1995-2022 data). More recently, the electorate experienced over 32 days of 35°C+ heat in 2022.

According to CSIRO-BoM projections, under a high emissions scenario, Penrith can expect averages of up to 59 days per year over 35°C, and up to 36 annual days over 40°C, by 2090. Yet, if emissions are drastically limited, Penrith could keep the average number of days over 35°C to just 22 in 2090, similar to the historic baseline.