"There is a trough building over inland NSW which will bring a chance of showers and thunderstorms on Thursday and Friday," Weatherzone meteorologist Joel Pippard said.

"When that trough clears, the heat will really start to build over the area, with weekend temperatures expected to be 10 degrees above average."

IN NEWS AROUND BATHURST:

Bathurst is forecast to hit 35 and 36 degrees on the weekend, but that might be bettered early next week, Mr Pippard said.

"The following Monday and Tuesday could possibly be hotter still, with temperatures predicted to reach 38 before temperatures begin to drop late on Tuesday," he said.

The Bathurst summer started with a bang with a 36.8 degree day on December 1, but has been mild overall since then.

January is currently averaging 26.4 degrees compared with the long-term average of 28.4, while December averaged 25.6 - one degree lower than the long-term average.

Single figure minimums in recent days, including 6.2 degrees on Monday morning, have also made for a cool foundation to the summer days.

The city has had an official 31 millimetres for this month, which is less than half of the long-term average of 67mm - and the bulk of that 31mm came in the first five days of the month.

Last week saw a small spike in temperatures for Bathurst, with 32 degrees on January 13 and 33.7 on January 14.

Around the region, Orange is predicted to hit 33 and 34 degrees this weekend, Mudgee will be 36 and 37 and Dubbo will reach 38 and 39.