Scorched state awaits winds of change - updated about 40 mins ago.
Fire crews and residents across much of New South Wales are awaiting a change in wind direction, after a strenuous day of battling heat, low humidity and strong winds.

About 1,000 firefighters are on the ground as almost 100 blazes continue, the worst of them in the state's central west.

It has been a scorcher across much of the state today, with temperatures hovering around 40 degrees.

In Sydney the mercury climbed to 42.5 degrees at the airport, while at Walgett in the state's north-west it was 43 degrees.

The weather bureau's Chris Webb says two changes are expected to move through the state in the next 12 hours, eventually bringing showers and cooler temperatures.

A coastal southerly is due to push through early tomorrow morning, but in the meantime a south-westerly is moving across the state, bringing thunderstorms and lightning strikes.

It's almost 7pm & I'm heading out for a walk after being cooped up here all day long.

Monday we're expecting 19-21 in the City & 18-22 in the western suburbs, tho 'Very warm to hot in the far northeast of the state before a south to southeast change', with 24 the highest temperature in region containing Rylstone.

Radio says there's hope that a southerly change in fire zones will bring the 2 major fires near Rylestone & Orange under control. 1 house has been lost.

sandra