Australia Weather News

Canberrans are about to swelter through the weekend, with four consecutive days at or above 37 degrees Celsius.

Temperatures peaked at 38.6C in the ACT today, with Saturday also tipped to reach 38C.

Sunday and Monday are only slightly milder with tops of 37C forecast and it is expected Canberra's top temperature will drop to 34C on Tuesday.

Forecaster Stephen Stefanak said those temperatures were still 10 to 11 degrees warmer than usual for this time of year.

He said even more unusually, the hot weather was in stark contrast to the capital's recent chilly conditions.

"The extreme difference in temperature was created earlier this week by a deep low-pressure system that formed over the Tasman Sea," he said.

"It brought up colder air which is usually a pattern you'd see in the winter months."

Mr Stefanak said residents should try to stay cool and drink plenty of water.

Total fire ban could come into effect

ACT Emergency Services Agency (ESA) chief officer Mark Brown Authorities said while there was no fire warning currently in place for the ACT, Canberrans should always remain vigilant.

"There's a very high fire danger rating today and we're keeping a close eye on the conditions because it's possible we may get a total fire ban over the weekend," he said.

"People need to look out in the media and on the ESA website this afternoon ... because conditions are definitely heading in that direction."

Yesterday marked the 15th anniversary of the devastating Canberra bushfires that killed four people and destroyed 500 homes.

A bushfire warning is in place across the border in New South Wales for Sydney, Hunter, Central Ranges, North Western and Northern Slopes regions.