Pyrotechnicians survey Sydney's New Year's Eve fireworks under smoke haze on Monday.Credit:James Alcock
The average maximum for New Year's Eve currently sits at 25.8 degrees since Observatory Hill first recorded data in 1858,while the hottest ever was in 1904,when the maximum temperature reached 41.9 degrees.
North-westerly winds will continue to blow smoke over the city from the Gospers Mountain mega-blaze throughout most of Tuesday,before a southerly change arrives about 7-8pm,potentially carrying with it more smoke from fires on the South Coast.
Ms Reid said the southerly change"will be quite something"with winds expected to reach 30-45km/h. A marine wind warning is in place for Sydney closed waters as well as the coast on Tuesday,meaning people spending the evening on the harbour will be affected.
The change,which could also be accompanied by thunderstorms,will"possibly make it very windy for the 9pm[fireworks] and still quite blustery for midnight,"Ms Reid said;although"not much rainfall"is predicted.
Ms Reid said that,following the cool change,"it will be a much less hot start to the year". Wednesday will be down to 25 in the city and 32 in the west.
But it won't be long before temperatures climb again,set to peak on Saturday at 34 in the city and 47 in Penrith.