The Hunter has recorded its hottest start to Autumn in nearly 30 years.
The lucky ones took the opportunity to cool off along the city’s beaches as warm westerly winds flattened out what little swell was on offer.
There wasn’t much relief overnight with the mercury still sitting on 23 degrees at 5am and by 9 oclock it was already heading past 30 degrees and peaked at 38 degrees just after one.
Thunderstorms fired up in the afternoon, strong wind bursts bringing down trees and wires and causing some property damage. A southerly change is expected, closing the book on what has been the driest summer in 50 years.
