NSW, Victoria and the ACT are facing sweltering heat over the next few days, with conditions ripe for bushfires.
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Heat building over western NSW will push towards the coast over the weekend and next week, sending temperatures between 8 and 16 degrees above average.
As a result, fire danger will be elevated on Sunday and Monday, with the RFS warning people should use the next few days to prepare.
"People need to take this seriously," RFS NSW director Peter McKechnie told reporters on Thursday.
"This season we haven't had these heightened fire dangers but we have now got to be prepared."
Bega, on the south coast, is expected to reach 39 or 40 degrees on Monday and western Sydney will be in the same range on Sunday and Monday.
Other parts of the southern portion of the state could experience temperatures up to 45 degrees on Sunday and Monday, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.
NSW has copped a lot of rain over the past few months but fuels are still quite dry in the south and west, meteorologist Gabrielle Woodhouse says.
The state's northeast, which has been beset by heavy rainfall and flooding, will miss out on the heatwave.
Victoria will also see temperatures building to a peak on Sunday and Monday, with most major centres in the northern part of the state above 40 degrees on Sunday.
Border towns could see temperatures up to 44, senior meteorologist Richard Russell said.
A cool change is due to hit the southwest on Monday but won't reach the northeast before early Tuesday morning.
Victorians could find themselves sweating through the night on Sunday, as temperatures will stay high even after the sun sets.
Fire danger in the northern districts is the biggest concern for meteorologists, Mr Russell said.
The heatwave has lifesavers on high alert, with Surf Life Saving NSW CEO Steven Pearce saying this is "probably the weekend we've been looking out for".
The heat is likely to drive people to the beach and a large swell will pose some "real challenges" for lifesavers and life guards, Mr Pearce told reporters.
He implored NSW residents to swim at patrolled locations.
More than 1000 people have had to be rescued since Christmas Day and 20 have drowned since July 1.
NSW Health is asking residents to make a plan and consider staying indoors between 11am and 5pm.
A severe to extreme heatwave is already besetting southwestern Western AustraliaA and western South Australia. A low intensity heatwave is expected to persist in SA until next week.
Australian Associated Press
