At 4pm yesterday, Moree hit 42 degrees, while Tamworth baked in 40-degree heat mid-afternoon. 

To avoid roasting in their tents, some campers at the Riverside Sporting Complex resorted to taking dips in makeshift pools.

Festivalgoer Benno Hughes and his pooch Riggy welcomed the much-needed relief.

Mr Hughes, who drives roadtrains, said the black chihuahua was not used to the scorching heat.

“He comes everywhere with me – if he is not inside, he’s in the truck,” Mr Hughes said. “He’s used to air conditioned comfort.”

But when the tiny dog gets back to nature, his instincts kick in and he knows what to do, the Pilliga local said.

“He’s started digging holes to keep cool,” Mr Hughes said.

Temperatures are expected to drop five degrees today in Tamworth to reach a maximum of 35 degrees, before a cool change sweeping the state tomorrow will see the mercury plummet to a more comfortable 27 degrees, according to meteorologist Matt Glasson.

“It will become more cloudy as the week progresses and it looks like there may be the odd shower and thunderstorm about on Thursday and Friday,” he said.

“Temperatures will be dropping to eight to 10 degrees below average on Thursday and to about average on Friday.”

The unsettled weather could stick around on Saturday, but should clear by Sunday, Mr Glasson said.