IT may still be a month until summer officially begins but the Hunter is heating up over the next few days.
After a hot Wednesday, Newcastle is forecast to hit a maximum of 35 degrees on Thursday November 7, while the Upper Hunter is set for highs of 39 degrees.
Stormy skies will likely prevent much beach action today, with the sun set to make a re-appearance with 32 degrees on Friday November 8, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.
BoM meteorologist, Edward Medlock said the predicted heat was caused by a cold front coming from the south-west, drawing hot, dry air from Central Australia over the coast.
While the temperatures were not record-setting for the Hunter or at heat-wave level, the weather was more reflective of summer days than spring, Mr Medlock said.
"It is just a really hot period over the next three or four days. It is kind of welcoming us into summer," he said.
Mayfield local Natalie Setz brought her kids, Stevie and Piper Partridge to Mayfield Pool too cool off in Wednesday's heat.
"We went to a park and it was way to hot, so we got our swimmers and went to the pool instead," Ms Setz said.
"The drawcard of the pool is it is so easy with parking and the beach is always a struggle," she said.
With highs close to 40 degrees, Mr Medlock said to look-out for certain people who are heat-sensitive such as elderly people and those with pre-existing health conditions.
Thursday's storms were more likely in the afternoon and evening, and could potentially become severe along Hunter's coastline, Mr Medlock said.
"Additional moisture from the ocean might allow for some locally heavy rainfall," he said.
Mr Medlock said the cold front would be replaced by a broad high-pressure ridge which was expected to bring temperatures down over the weekend.
Saturday November 9 was forecast to hit 24 degrees while Sunday November 10 was predicted to sit around 25 degrees with a medium chance of showers later in the day.
