The mercury skyrocketed to 37 degrees in the Top End capital today, five above average and Darwin's hottest day in four years. It was also Darwin's second hottest September day on record, with a sea breeze arriving at 2pm just in time to save the 37.7 set in 1983. The hot weather is the result of very dry easterly winds, which are rapidly warming as they blow west over the cloudless northern interior. The 37 today makes it three consecutive day above 36 in Darwin for the first time in 23 years. If it reaches 36 again on Thursday it will be the first time Darwin has recorded four days in row above 36 in over 60 years of records. The sea breeze should develop earlier in the day by the weekend, keeping temperatures closer to average.