‘Severe heatwave’ conditions lasting two to three days at a time have seen Wagga’s daytime temperatures hit 41 degrees with 29-degree minimums overnight.

The Bureau of Meteorology has forecast maximum temperatures between 32 and 38 degrees for the week ahead.

However, a high pressure system will bring higher temperatures to areas to the west and could affect Wagga at a later stage.

Meteorologist Craig Ryan told The Daily Advertiser it was possible that Wagga’s 24-hour average temperatures would rise into the heatwave zone after the current seven-day forecast.

“At this stage we are still looking at another high pressure system slowly making its way across the southern parts of the country,” he said.

“As that starts to impact our weather in the later part of next week, we are expecting temperatures to increase again.

“At this stage, in the seven-day outlook period, we are still looking a temperatures in the high 30s, but towns to the west of Wagga are looking at temperatures in the low 40s, towns like Narrandera and Griffith.”

Mr Ryan said the heatwave conditions had not been forecast for Wagga in the seven days from Sunday, but the approaching high pressure system could bring another heatwave after that time period.

“As we get closer to next weekend, we will be able to provide a bit more detail as to what to expect, temperature wise,” he said.

“Heatwave conditions are calculated based on the 24-hour average temperature, so the average of the daily maximum and daily minimum.

“For Wagga, we are still expecting those averages to be in the high teens to low 20s.

“Heatwave conditions are more likely in the west of the state.”