Perth is having an exceptionally hot summer and could soon break its record for the most 40ºC days in a single season.

A Severe Heatwave is gripping Australia’s west coast this week as hot inland air flows towards a stubborn West Coast Trough.

Image: Forecast surface air temperature on Wednesday afternoon, showing hot air along Australia's west coast.

This setup allowed the temperature to reach 40.8°C in the city on Tuesday and the mercury is forecast to hit 41°C on Wednesday.

If Perth does reach 40°C on Wednesday, it will be the seventh day at or above 40°C so far this summer, matching the city’s summertime record from 2015/16.

If Perth manages to reach eight days at or above 40°C before the end of February, it will be a new record for summer.

This week’s heatwave will last until the weekend and with tops of 39°C on the forecast between Thursday and Saturday, the record could be challenged sooner rather than later.

Perth’s highest daily temperature on record was 46.2°C in February 1991. The hottest day so far this season was 43.5°C on December 26.