![City looks mighty hot as temps set to soar City looks mighty hot as temps set to soar](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/KRM77tP3akqwSNbwmEzAg5/60ed9555-89f6-4ced-973f-a3d514bcccb1.jpg/r0_453_4740_3160_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Brace yourself Maitland – here comes Summer.
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The region is set to experience its first heatwave of the season with the mercury forecast to climb into the high 30s as we move towards the end of the week.
A top of 32 was forecast for Wednesday with 33 degrees forecast for Thursday and 37 for Friday.
Temperatures are set to fluctuate over the next few days with tops of 35 forecast for Saturday, 27 for Sunday, 34 Monday and 29 Tuesday.
As a result of the forecast, NSW Ambulance has issued a warning for residents to stay cool and keep hydrated.
With Maitland about to experience its warmest weather since February, NSW Ambulance and the Bureau of Meteorology are advising people of all ages to take care and avoid the extreme heat.
“It’s important that people are alert to the symptoms associated with heat exhaustion in themselves or others, especially young children and the elderly,” NSW Ambulance Chief Superintendent Alan Morrison said.
“These include nausea, faintness, dizziness, loss of appetite, weakness, headache, and vomiting,” he said.
“Heat can kill which is why it’s so important to stay hydrated and look out for the elderly the young and pets.”
Figures show that from 1 December 2017 to 31 March 2018, Paramedics treated 4451 patients for dehydration, were called to 175 drownings or near drownings and responded to 227 people suffering from heat exhaustion.
NSW Ambulance aeromedical teams were called to 1536 jobs including a number where the patient was suffering from severe heat exhaustion and dehydration and required transport via helicopter to hospital.
Bureau of Meteorology NSW/ACT Manager of Weather Services Jake Phillips said the heat is already building in the west of the state and it will continue to intensify over the next day or two while at the same time spreading east.
“Temperatures in the west are likely to sit around the 40 degree mark for several days. Western Sydney can expect to reach the high thirties on Thursday and Friday,” he said.
“One of the characteristics of heatwaves is not just hotter maximum temperatures but also hotter minimums.”
Mr Phillips said this is the first heatwave of the season, and coming off the back of relatively mild conditions it will potentially have more impact on the community than normal for a low intensity heatwave
Chief Superintendent Morrison said within an hour, the temperature inside a car parked in the sun on a 35C day can reach highs of 47C or more.
“Never leave children or animals in a car unattended even if you think it’s only going to be for a minute. This can lead to fatal consequences even with a window open,” NSW Ambulance Chief Superintendent Alan Morrison said.