The mercury started to climb last week, with Thursday reaching 42.2 degrees, before falling to 39 degrees on Friday and back up to 40 degrees on Saturday. 

The early scorching sun on Saturday gave way to dark clouds late in the afternoon before the winds picked up and a dust storm rolled through the shire. 

There has been no rain recorded in Leeton shire so far this month, but in good news for residents temperatures are expected to stay in the mid-30s this week. 

Tuesday is expected to reach 33 degrees, while Wednesday should hit 34 before dropping back to 31 later in the week. The weekend’s forecast is currently sitting at 34 degrees on Saturday and 36 degrees on Sunday.