Canberrans who thought last weekend was bad shouldn't expect any relief this weekend, with 40 degree days forecast on Friday and Saturday and the possibility the hot conditions could hit 42 degrees on Sunday, despite the current forecast of 37 degrees.
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Weatherzone meteorologist Rob Sharpe said Canberra would see some showers on Tuesday, with a possible thunderstorm. The maximum forecast is 23 degrees, rising to 26 degrees on Wednesday.
"From Thursday it's going to heat up suddenly," Mr Sharpe said, with a forecast maximum of 35 degrees, before conditions reach 40 degrees on Friday and 41 degrees on Saturday.
Despite the 37 degrees forecast on Sunday, Mr Sharpe said there was a chance it could reach 42 degrees if the cool change sweeping across south-east Australia arrived later than expected.
"That's just a chance at the moment. The more likely scenario is seeing a top of 37 degrees," Mr Sharpe said.
"Sunday's a bit of a question mark."
"It could be a very hot day, again over 40 degrees, but the current forecast is 37 degrees. The change will be arriving that day and will be dropping temperatures."
Mr Sharpe said the conditions this weekend weren't normal for February and said if it does reach 42 degrees this weekend, it would approach the 1968 record of 42.2 degrees.
"The average maximum for February is 27 degrees, typically we see the edge come off in terms of heat," Mr Sharpe said.
"They're not standard temperatures for this time of year, typically in February we see temperatures limited somewhat. It becomes a little more humid in February than it does in January."
"We're seeing more January like conditions continuing to February."
Weatherzone is owned by Fairfax Media, publisher of this website.
