Prepare to swelter! Record-breaking heat is on the way

New South Wales could break hot weather records on Saturday, with Queensland also in line for extreme heat.

The Bureau of Meteorology forecasts both states at a minimum to have some of their hottest days of the summer.

Andrea Peace, a meteorologist at BOR, says both Sydney and Brisbane aren’t expected to have much relief until Sunday at the earliest, though in the northern state capital that still means a 39-degree forecast. Sydney is expected to be closer to 30 degrees.

January was the hottest month on record for Sydney since 1859.

BOR forecasts are for mid-40s temperatures in many inland areas in NSW at the weekend, with high-30s expected in coastal areas. Sydney’s Penrith in forecast to be a scorching 45 degrees on Saturday.

Severe fire danger warnings are current over the central southern ranges, lower central west and the Hunter districts of NSW on Saturday.

NSW Energy Minister Don Harwin is already warning Sydneysiders to consider catching a movie in air-conditioning tonight and to avoid cooking and turning on the TV, according to reports.

Blackouts are feared for Saturday as AC drains the power system.

But Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull says he doesn’t expect vital services or households to be impacted.

The ABC reports that Canberra could also go close to beating its hottest day on record – 42.2 degrees clocked in 1968.

Meanwhile, the Northern Territory is subject to a severe weather warning, with damaging winds and heavy rain expected tonight and on Saturday.

In Western Australia, heavy rainfall may cause flash flooding, with Perth recording its second-west day on record on Friday.

BOR is expected to issue further updates on the warnings for the NT and WA late tonight.

There are also strong marine wind warnings for areas of Tasmania, as well as for areas of South Australia.