Australia Day 2021: Scorching hot weather forecast before rain hits Sydney

Get out the hats and sunscreen for Australia Day this year because temperatures are set to soar past 40C in the city’s west on Tuesday.

Scorching tempatures are expected on Australia Day before a cool southerly shift bringing rain to Sydney.

Tuesday is forecast to be the hottest day of the recent heatwave with tempatures around 40C in western parts of Sydney.

Temperatures are expected to hit 34C in the city.

Bureau of Meterology forecaster Neale Fraser said the rain will hang around from Wednesday to Sunday.

“It will absolutely cool things down. Tempatures will be back down in the mid 20s with some showers,” he said.

“The weather will start to warm back up again on the weekend.”

It comes after sweltering four-day heatwave.

Australia Day is expected to be the hottest day of the sequence.

Jessika Pritchard and boyfriend Shane Tait-Cotton get ready for Australia Day. Picture: Toby Zerna

Among the many thousands due to hit the sand, surf and back deck will be small business owner Jessika Pritchard. She said she would will be enjoying her day off to spend time with friends and family.

“Australia Day is really just a chance for me as a young working professional to make time to catch up with family and friends,” Ms Pritchard said.

“A day hanging out with loved ones, having a barbecue and a drink, you know the classic Australian dream but for me it’s definitely very family orientated.”

“I think it’s meant to be pretty hot so I’ll definitely be kicking back at the beach sometime during the day as well.”