It comes after a stinking hot start to January, which kicked off with an average high temperature of 38.9 degrees – a staggering 9.1 degrees higher than the long term average. 

It’s a figure that will likely be balanced out throughout the remainder of the month. 

After a run of soaring temperatures, culminating in a 44 degree high on Sunday, a cool change will see maximums of 27 degrees on Wednesday and 28 degrees on Thursday, with medium to high chances of showers on both days. 

Sunday's 44 degree corker also came within touching distance of Maitland city’s record high temperature of 44.5 degrees. 

However, the record is still a chance at being broken, with temperatures forecast to rise again after the comparative mid-week lull. 

According to the Bureau of Meteorology, on Friday the maximum temperature is forecast to climb back to 35 degrees, before leaping again to 37 degrees on Saturday. 

The mercury should drop back down to 28 degrees on Sunday. 

On the fire front, a bushfire at Elrington, south east of Cessnock, has remained under the control of the Rural Fire Service since the weekend.

A total fire ban remains in place in the Greater Hunter, with a very high fire danger rating in place.