A partly cloudy morning is set to greet the first cars that cruise into Canberra's annual Summernats on Thursday, before the chance of showers increases in the afternoon with a possible storm.
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The Bureau of Meteorology has forecast severe heatwave conditions for the weekend, when the annual street machine festival takes over Exhibition Park.
Thursday is forecast to reach a maximum temperature of 34 degrees, with a medium chance of showers in the afternoon. Friday will be sunny and reach 37 degrees, while a possible storm is forecast on Saturday, with a maximum temperature of 36 degrees.
Sunday will be milder, with 30 degrees forecast, before a southerly wind change early next week drops temperatures into the mid-20s.
Bureau of Meteorology forecaster David Wilke said there was a good chance Canberra could get a storm on Thursday and Saturday with strong wind gusts.
"I'd say if Canberra is going to get a storm, maybe mid to late afternoon and persisting into the evening," he said.
"There could be quite big storms."
Extreme ultra violet light conditions have been forecast for all of Summernats, with the ACT Cancer Council recommending people use sun protection when UV levels are at level three and above. UV levels will be between 13 and 14 for the weekend.
In extreme heat, the ACT Ambulance Service advised people to avoid drinking alcohol, tea and coffee because they cause dehydration.
People should drink water and not wait until they are thirsty, the service said.
