Hot conditions are expected to continue around the Bega Valley through Tuesday before a striking cool shift later in the week breaks the heatwave.
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Senior meteorologist with the Bureau of Meteorology Gabrielle Woodhouse said the South East had been experiencing "severe to extreme heatwave conditions with temperatures anywhere between eight and 15 degrees above average".
While Monday was the expected peak for the Far South Coast, Ms Woodhouse said Tuesday would remain quite warm ahead of a trough bringing much cooler conditions later in the week.
Monday was a scorcher with temperatures tipping 40 degrees being reported by readers in Quaama and Wyndham, while sea breezes helped moderate coastal areas like Merimbula and Eden.
The heat was almost too much for one kangaroo at Wolumla, spotted by Brent Graham as he was out checking up on his cattle in the heat.
"The phone said 35C but it feels more like 38-40," he said.
Incredibly, around the same time mid-Monday, Brogo resident Troy Purple was filming a sudden hailstorm while his thermometer was still recording 38C!
Soon afterwards it was threatening lightning and thunder.
Ms Woodhouse said it was not uncommon to see peaks reach 40 across an Australian summer, but said they had been persistent for a few days across the weekend, while overnight temperatures had also been very warm.
"Temps are remaining in the high 30s throughout Tuesday and conditions easing through Tuesday night into Wednesday and dropping significantly into Thursday," Ms Woodhouse said in a special press briefing.
"This is when we see a trough moving through NSW and will see some relief on the Far South through late Tuesday."
Ms Woodhouse urged caution for those hitting the water - particularly rock fishers and offshore anglers - as strong wind warnings were becoming prevalent along the coastline.
"It's best to be prepared, know the conditions, know the forecast and work to your own ability."
The high temperatures may produce thunderstorms late on Tuesday, while showers were developing through the remainder of the week.
Bega has a predicted top of 30 on Tuesday before the cool shift brings the mercury down to 23 on Wednesday and a chilly top of 21 on Thursday.
Rain is also on the rise with Tuesday a high chance of seeing some late showers, while Wednesday and Thursday are both forecast to be largely overcast with a 50-50 chance of rain.
Independent long-range weather forecaster Dennis Luke says a strengthening La Nina in the Pacific is the reason behind recent rainfall, which he predicts will continue through to Easter.
Mr Luke predicted heavy rainfall from Thursday, January 28, due to low pressure systems currently making their way across the country from Western Australia.
According to his projections, Thursday and Friday are the main days where the Far South Coast and Victorian north-east will see significant rainfall before conditions ease off for the weekend.
