![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/78\/590x\/secondary\/australia-hot-weather-el-nino-4973094.jpg?r=1695396963346\")
<\/p>\n
An El Ni\u00f1o is declared\u00a0when sea temperatures in the tropical eastern Pacific rise 0.5C above the long-term average. NSW\u00a0has\u00a0 already recorded temperatures this year as much as 16C above the September average.\u00a0Temperatures in Sydney reached 34.4C on Tuesday, just under of the all-time September record of 34.6C, set in 1965. And temperatures are set to stay high, as the threat of\u00a0El Ni\u00f1o looms.<\/p>\n
Chris Ford, General Manager of Compare the Market, stressed the urgency of preparing for potential blackouts while taking into account the El Ni\u00f1o factor.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith no one knowing just how high the mercury will rise in the coming months or what weather events we will face, now\u2019s the time for households to take back the power and prepare a plan ahead of potential blackouts,\u201d Ford told news.com.au.<\/p>\n
He underscored the confluence of factors contributing to grid strain, including increased power consumption driven by soaring temperatures, intensified reliance on air conditioning, extended use of pool pumps, elevated screen time for entertainment, and additional electrical loads like supplementary refrigeration during the summer season.<\/p>\n
Don’t miss… <\/strong> We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info<\/p>\n He added: \u201cThose of us with solar systems should be maximising our electricity usage while the sun is shining, and doing our bit to reduce the solar feed-in to the grid during daylight hours when demand isn\u2019t as high.\u201d<\/p>\n During heatwaves, power generators are expected to operate at maximum capacity to ensure residents’ comfort, adding further stress to the electricity infrastructure.<\/p>\n In response to these concerns, Ford implored every Australian household to craft a blackout readiness plan, stressing the need for proactive measures to mitigate potential electricity shortfalls during the impending scorching summer months, particularly in light of the El Ni\u00f1o’s influence.<\/p>\n
Met Office issues new ‘danger to life’ flood warning as homes face being cut off[INSIGHT] <\/strong>
Maps turn red as Indian summer to blast UK with balmy 21C heat[MAP] <\/strong>
Florida and North Carolina on alert for dangerous tropical cyclone[ANALYSIS] <\/strong><\/p>\n