People flocked to pools to get relief from the spring heatwave that also brought very strong winds. Photo: Bianca De Marchi/AAP PHOTOS

Temperatures have mercifully begun to drop with cooler days expected to follow a snap heatwave that broke records and coincided with destructive winds.

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Parts of western Sydney baked as temperatures neared 40C on Wednesday, maxing out at 39.8C in Bankstown and 39.5C at Penrith after 1pm, both record highs for October.

Closer to the harbour temperatures topped out at 37C about 2.30pm in Sydney's city centre, slightly below the October record.

Strong

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