Yesterday’s peak temperature of 34 degrees marked the start off the what the Bureau of Meteorology has officially labelled “a heat wave”.

A top temperature of 35 degrees is expected for today and 33 degrees for Saturday.

According to the bureau’s climate information officer Mike DeSalis these are the hottest successive temperatures ever recorded in Orange.

“The highest temperature previously recorded in Orange was 35.6 degrees and that was in November 25, 1982 so these [current] temperatures are clearly unusual,” he said.

“The average temperature for November is 20 degrees.”

Mr DeSalis said this current “hot spell” is the result of a high pressure system in the Tasman Sea.

“It has been directing hot northerly winds across NSW.

“Four states are getting it.”

Despite the unusually warm temperatures Mr DeSalis said this may not indicate a sweltering summer will follow.

“Although you can’t always tell, there’s a good chance of there being above average temperatures this Summer.”