Sydney is set to swelter on Sunday, with temperatures reaching 35 degrees in the city and potentially busting records in the west.
It should be an optimal day for beachgoers, with sunny conditions and only a slight chance of a shower. Meteorologists said the city could go as high as 40 degrees if coastal sea breezes were weak or late.
"There's a fair chance that the temperature in Sydney city will go close to 40, as the coastal sea breeze circulation may fail to become truly established," said Alex Zadnik, meteorologist at Weatherzone.
Penrith is forecast to reach 43 degrees, which would be its hottest November day in 17 years.
A total fire ban is in place on Sunday for the Sydney metropolitan area, the Greater Hunter, Illawarra, Southern Slopes and Ranges, the Central Ranges and the Lower Central West Plains.
Temperatures in some parts of the Hunter were expected to reach 44 degrees, while Bourke in the state's west would hit 45, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.
A "slight" cool change would bring some evening relief along the coast but would likely leave the west untouched, said Anthony Duke, senior meteorologist at Weatherzone.
"It's looking like quite a warm night into Monday," he said.
Monday was expected to remain warm, with increasing showers. But a more refreshing change late in the day would cool the mercury to about 25 degrees, where it is expected to remain for the rest of the week.
Soaring temperatures have also set new records. in other states. The outback Queensland town of Longreach has topped 40 degrees on 10 consecutive days for the first time, and the heatwave is expected to last until at least Wednesday
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