NSW is set for relief as a heatwave that has gripped the state for the past few days eases.
The Bureau of Meteorology cancelled a heatwave warning affecting NSW on Tuesday afternoon, with temperatures set to drop later on Wednesday and into Thursday.
Danny Johnson from the BoM said a shift in breeze on Wednesday afternoon would bring the change.
"It will peak during the day and then the change will be in the evening at this stage," Mr Johnson said.
"What's funnelling this heat is the north westerly breeze bringing in a lot of hot, dry air from up north. In the afternoon/evening that will swing around to a south westerly."
Across the state on Tuesday, Grafton on the North Coast reached 38C, Taree reached a top of 36C and Maitland in the Hunter Valley region saw 37C.
In Sydney, Penrith and Sydney Airport both recorded a top of 37C.
Hot and windy conditions flared again on Tuesday afternoon, prompting firefighters to upgrade an out-of-control blaze at Tambaroora, north of Bathurst, to emergency level.
Shortly after mid-afternoon, authorities told those in the direct path of the fire it was too late to leave.
"If you are in the area of Doughertys Junction, you are in danger. Seek shelter as the fire approaches. It is too late to leave," the NSW Rural Fire Service said in a statement.
Three total fire bans are in place for Wednesday, affecting the North Western, Central Ranges and Greater Hunter.
"Hot, dry and windy conditions are forecast across NSW, increasing the fire danger. Know your fire risk and what you will do if fire threatens," the NSW RFS said.
