After all the recent rain the umbrellas were out across the region again on Monday - but this time it was to offer some much-needed shade.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The heat spiked across the Lower Hunter with Maitland soaring to a sweltering 41C - the first seriously hot day we've had ahead of summer, which officially kicks in on December 1.
There will be some welcome relief over the next couple of days however, with temperatures back to a more comfortable 23C on Tuesday and 26C on Wednesday.
Things will warm up again by the end of the week with the forecast of 31C on Thursday and 35C on Friday.
The heat will then ease off again on the weekend - high 20s to low 30s - with the chance of rain on Sunday.
Continued run-off from recent heavy falls has meant that dam levels are now particularly healthy, with the Hunter's four dams at 88.7 per cent capacity - their best readings in two years.
The serious of heavy showers over the last couple of weeks has seen an overall rise of nearly 13 per cent since October 26.
At its lowest, Hunter levels were at 52.5 per cent on February 6.
Despite easing water restrictions, water use in the region continues to be responsible.
Each month Hunter Water puts out its estimated water use for the region.
In October water use was down nine per cent on Hunter Water's estimate - that equates to a water saving of 472 million litres for the month.
IN THE NEWS
Do you know you can subscribe to get full access to all Maitland Mercury stories? Subscribing supports us in our local news coverage. To subscribe, click here.
A journo all my working life and never wanted to change, also a self confessed sports tragic.
A journo all my working life and never wanted to change, also a self confessed sports tragic.
