Residents hoping for an immediate reprieve from the hot spell will have to wait a few more days, as meteorologists anticipate even hotter weather to come.

The Bureau of Meteorology is forecasting temperatures greater than 10C above average in some parts of NSW at the weekend and the North West Slopes and Plains is not immune.

Tamworth can expect the mercury to climb by another couple of degrees today and tomorrow, peaking at 38C on Sunday, while Gunnedah will sweat through back-to-back 40C days tomorrow and Sunday.

Moree will get to 39C at the weekend, and Gunnedah is expected to top 40C on both days.

Some welcome relief is being predicted for Christmas Day, with forecast showers set to help temperatures dip down to about the 30C mark.

Youngsters on their first day of school holidays were scrambling to keep cool yesterday – and the good old-fashioned slip ’n’ slide proved the perfect way to cool off for the Hirds – Poppie, 8, Harry, 6, and Jack, 4. They were among hundreds of kids who took to the water in many centres.

Although the steamy weather offers the perfect excuse to run through the sprinkler or go for a dip in the local pool, heatwaves such as these can be serious and authorities are urging residents to take care while out and about in the heat.