Risk of blackouts has receded in Sydney, while a WA bushfire has prompted emergency evacuation in parts of Shire of Dandaragan

The heatwave baking much of eastern Australia will rapidly make way for conditions offering the “perfect ingredients” for thunderstorms later this week, raising risks of heavy rainfall and even flash floods.

Temperatures were due to soar towards 40C on Tuesday and Wednesday in parts of western Sydney, or as much as 12C above average, the Bureau of Meteorology forecast.

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