As most Australians head back to work and children enjoy the dwindling weeks of their school holidays, the weather is about to get exceedingly hot yet again.

It will be so warm in some parts of NSW that the Bureau of Meteorology has initiated its Heatwave Action Plan.

That warning has been issued for the western and central western parts of New South Wales, however it isn’t the only place in the country that will swelter over the next week.

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“A heatwave is defined as three or more days where the minimum and maximum temperature exceeds the average,” Bureau of Meteorology senior forecaster Claire Yeo told The New Daily. 

“We have northerly winds dragging hot air that’s over Australia to the south-eastern parts of Australia causing the heat.

“The hot air is coming from the interior and north-western area of Australia.”

While the heatwave is restricted to the aforementioned areas of NSW, most capital cities will experience at least one uncomfortably hot day this week as Australia recovers from the pre- and post-New Year’s heat burst.

Here’s how hot your next few days are going to be.

Sydney

Sydneysiders will have to head to one of their famous beaches. Photo: AAP

Wednesday = 28C – Thursday = 35C – Friday = 22C

While the central and central western parts of NSW will suffer a significant heatwave – it will be 44C in Condobolin on Wednesday – the metropolitan area of the state will also be generously sun-kissed.

Wednesday will be a pleasant 28C with a chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon, Thursday will be a sticky and humid 35C.

Adelaide

Wednesday = 39C – Thursday = 25C – Friday = 26C

After an incredibly hot yet cloudy Wednesday, a change will roll through in the afternoon meaning Thursday will be cooler.

According to the BoM, a normal Adelaide summer has 16 days above 35C.

On Tuesday, Adelaide had its 17th day over 35C for the 2015/16 summer.

Melbourne

Melbourne will be the hottest capital city by far on Wednesday. Photo: Getty

Wednesday = 41C – Thursday = 19C – Friday = 19C

Despite only one day of heat being forecasted for Melbourne, that day will be absolutely sweltering.

A change will hit Melbourne on Wednesday evening and it may even bring thunderstorms and rain that could continue into Thursday.

There is a total fire ban in place for all of Victoria except the East Gippsland region.

Perth

Thursday = 33C – Friday = 39C – Saturday = 37C

The start of the week will be cooler in Perth but the weather will soon change.

Moderate winds and sunny conditions with a little bit of cloud will highlight the city’s first sustained hot period of the New Year.

There won’t be a cool change until Sunday, however thunderstorms are tipped to lash the city on Friday.

Darwin

Darwin’s weather will endure through to February. Photo: Getty

Wednesday = 32C – Thursday = 32C – Friday = 33C

While they’re not the highest temperatures around the country, Darwin will have to endure some of the most uncomfortable.

Thanks to the high humidity and chance of rain, the tropical climate will be a sticky and sweaty experience.

This is set to continue through January and February.

Brisbane

Wednesday = 33C – Thursday = 32C – Friday = 33C

Brisbane experienced an unusually cool Christmas however things have warmed up significantly in the New Year.

Four days on plus-30C heat is being predicted for the Queensland capital, while a cool change is expected to come late Friday or early Saturday.

Hobart

Hobart will be abnormally warm. Photo: Getty

Wednesday = 32C – Thursday = 21C – Friday = 17C

Like its mainland neighbour to the north, there will be one quite warm day in Hobart.

The 32C predicted for Wednesday is 11C hotter than the January average top in Hobart of 21C.

However things will be back to normal for residents of the Tasmanian capital come the weekend.

Canberra

Wednesday = 33C – Thursday = 20C – Friday = 17C

A late evening cool change will sweep through the capital on Wednesday, after that day’s top is forecasted to hit 33C.

There is a 50 per cent chance that a thunderstorm could develop during Wednesday.

How to survive a heatwave

Drinking plenty of water isn’t the only way to beat the heat. Photo: Getty

These are the main points to remember according to NSW Health:

• Stay well hydrated;
• Avoid alcohol, hot or sugary drinks;
• Limit your physical activity; and,
• Try to stay out of the sun during the hottest part of the day.

Older people and those who live alone or isolated should be checked on.

Heat-related illness warning signs include confusion, dizziness, fainting, nausea, vomiting, weakness, headaches and loss of sweating.

People showing these signs should seek urgent medical attention.

Residents in at-risk areas should remain prepared and vigilant for bushfires.

Anyone with pets or livestock should ensure clean water and shade is available to animals, the NSW Department of Primary Industry advised.

“Intensive large animal holdings”, including poultry and piggeries, should ensure cooling and watering systems are backed up.