With the mercury hitting about 30C mid-afternoon on Friday, the outdoor pool at Orange Aquatic Centre was the place to be.
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Lifeguard Nick da Silva said scores of Learn to Swim students were booked for the 3.30-6pm sessions, joining the parents with young children and schoolies who had taken advantage of the calm before the storm.
A three-day heat spike leading into summer has seen forecast maximum temperatures of about 30C for Saturday and Sunday.
Mr da Silva said a large crowd was expected on Saturday.
The mercury hit 29C on Friday in Orange, while it crept up to more than 35C in Cowra and Parkes.
It was the hottest day in Orange since March 2 (30.2C).
Sunny and cloudy days are tipped through next week, with the temperature dipping to the low 20s on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, before hitting 27C on Thursday.
There is a strong chance of rain on Sunday and Monday.
Winds on Saturday are forecast to be N/NE at 16-17 kilometres an hour.
- READ ALSO: Eastern Brown found sunbaking near back step
The UV Index for Saturday through to Monday is listed as "extreme".
The previous high this month was 28C on November 16.
Meanwhile, the highest on record for this month was 36C on November 23, 2014.
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