If you thought it was hot last weekend, brace yourself, we have a heatwave coming.
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A large area of NSW and the ACT is forecast to move into heatwave conditions later this week, for the first time this season, according to the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM).
Heatwave conditions are expected to reach the severe category in many locations.
Both daytime and overnight temperatures are expected to be 10 to 16 degrees above average for this time of the year, reaching into the high-30s or mid-40s during the day, from Thursday.
Conditions are also likely to see the fire risk increase significantly over the weekend.
For Parkes, the mercury is forecast to climb to 36 degrees on Friday, but it will be the weekend that will really have us sweating.
Saturday is predicted to reach 40 degrees, while Sunday is 42 degrees with forecast winds.
It'll slightly drop to 36 again on Monday but will be short-lived with another 42-degree day on Tuesday.
Parkes' hottest November day on its 23-year record is 43.9 degrees, set on November 23 in 2014.
Last weekend certainly gave us a taste of what's to come, with last Friday peaking at 38.8 degrees and Saturday 39.3, the hottest so far this month.
Monday brought some early morning showers (2mm) and a small storm in the evening, with 13.6mm downpours, that have made the last few days a bit cooler.
A few of our readers captured some great shots of the sky above Parkes before Monday's storm.
So far Parkes has had 38.8mm this November.
In a summer climate outlook released on Thursday by the BoM, Australia can expect a wetter than normal summer.
But it said bush and grass fires cannot be ruled out completely.
READ MORE: Hot, windy weekend ahead: RFS urges caution
"The outlook for summer has been issued as Australia continues to experience an active La Nina event which is expected to remain until at least the start of autumn," the BoM said.
The Bureau's Head of Operational Climate Services Dr Andrew Watkins said this means large parts of eastern Australia have an increased risk of flooding.
"While the last three weeks have been dry in many parts of the country - due in part to unfavourable tropical weather patterns - it does not signal a weakening of La Nina," he said.
"Our climate outlook is the opposite of what we experienced last year in Australia.
"This summer, NSW, Victoria and Queensland are expected to see above average rainfall, meaning we face an increased risk of widespread floods."
Dr Watkins said that while the risk of bushfires isn't as high as last summer, fires will occur.
"There's a great chance of grass fires in some areas as recent rain and warm weather have led to vigorous vegetation growth," he said.
"South eastern Australia is one of the most fire-prone regions in the world. Even short periods of hot and dry weather increase the risk of fire in summer."
Dr Watkins said the outlook was also a reminder for communities to be prepared for heatwaves over the coming months.
"Every summer we see heatwaves across southern Australia. This summer heatwaves may not reach the extreme temperatures of recent years, but may be longer duration and more humid, which can still have a significant impact on human health," he said.
"It's important to keep up to date with the Bureau's heatwave service."
Christine Little
I love sharing people's stories, particularly local stories that are special and important to the people of Parkes. If there is one thing I have learnt in my 10 years of community journalism, it's that stories are everywhere. All it takes is a good story teller to make it worth reading. Email: christine.little@parkeschampionpost.com.au
I love sharing people's stories, particularly local stories that are special and important to the people of Parkes. If there is one thing I have learnt in my 10 years of community journalism, it's that stories are everywhere. All it takes is a good story teller to make it worth reading. Email: christine.little@parkeschampionpost.com.au
