Gunnedah’s temperature hovered around 40 degrees for much of Wednesday afternoon, well above our January average of 31.9, and was forecast to reach a maximum of 41 on Thursday and 42 on Friday.

Weatherzone’s Jacobus Cronje said we should brace for more of the same in the coming months.

“These conditions are consistent with the seasonal outlook for eastern Australia, which has been forecast to experience above-average maximum and minimum temperatures well into March,” Mr Cronje said.

“Nights in particular are likely to be very warm, bringing little relief from daytime discomfort.”

The Turner family cooled off with a mid-week swim at the river while others hit the pool to beat the heat.

Conditions will ease slightly by the weekend with top temperatures around the mid to high 30s. 

There is a 90 per cent chance of 10-20mm of rain on Saturday.