Weatherzone meteorologist Ben Domensino says the heat wave the country is experiencing will die down in Orange by Christmas Eve and an expected trough will cool everything down significantly. 

But until Tuesday, drink a lot of water, wear sunscreen, cover up and stay indoors where possible, with temperatures expected to reach 33 degrees today, 34 degrees on  Sunday and 30 degrees on Monday. 

Police are reminding residents not to leave children, the elderly or pets unattended in cars.

“Christmas should be average conditions, but hot temperatures right up to Christmas Eve where a mild trough will come through and will bring with it more mild air maximums,” Mr Domensino said. 

“Generally the showers will be quite light with about five millimetres expected, with the heaviest fall on Christmas Eve where you could get up to 10 millimetres.”

Christmas Day is expected to be a top of 26 degrees, but the predicted cloud cover may not make it ideal swimming weather, Mr Domensino said. 

“I’d be careful about the thunderstorms if you’re getting a blow-up pool out, they’re expected a bit north of Orange, but there could be some on Christmas and Boxing Day,” he said. 

The hottest day on record for December was in 1990 on the 18th, with a maximum of 34.8 degrees.

Sunday could get that high but is unlikely to be the hottest day in any month on record with that being in February 1976 where there was a maximum of 38.3 degrees. 

So far in December the coldest temperature has been 0.8 degrees, the average has been 10.3 degrees and the highest 31.5 degrees on Thursday. 

Over the coming days health authorities are warning people to be vigilant of the heat, check on people who are vulnerable like the elderly, watch out for signs of heatstroke such as headache, fainting, dizziness, lack of sweating, vomiting, rapid heartbeat and cramps and if people chose to drink alcohol, be sure to drink plenty of water as well. 

For weather updates go to www.weatherzone.com.au.