Temperatures along Australia’s east coast are surging into Summer-mode with 40 degrees forecast for some parts of Sydney this week.  The heatwave is also affecting Brisbane with temperatures today likely to reach 35 degrees.

A low in the Tasman Sea is going to spread air from eastern Australia across northern New Zealand today and tomorrow and while conditions won’t be as extreme here it’ll likely be a welcome treat for some North Islanders.

WeatherWatch.co.nz predicts temperatures will reach the mid 20s in Northland and possibly the mid to upper 20s around Gisborne, depending on cloud cover and wind speed, either this afternoon or tomorrow. 

Nor’westers should also drive up temperatures in Auckland, Waikato and Bay of Plenty with highs in the early 20s predicted today and tomorrow.

Australia’s government forecaster, the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) warns that the fire danger in Sydney is now “locally severe”.  Penrith today has a high of 39 with western parts of the city hitting 41 on Friday.