Hot and dry conditions will persist over the eastern half of Australia (except tropics) thanks to relatively calm winds.

The summer monsoon will be inactive for the next several days possibly related to MJO development in the central Pacific. 

Maximum temperatures will be over 8C higher than usual in wide portions of southern Queensland and New South Wales, although the trend can be somewhat relaxed by the sea breeze along the coast.

Queensland’s interior could reach the mid 40s C and some western suburbs of Sydney could climb to around 40C mid to late next week.

This temperature pattern will persist until next weekend but a cool down will drift into some south eastern areas in the days ahead.

– WeatherWatch.co.nz