Temperatures have been rising to the low-to-mid 30s in northern Australia, five to 10 degrees above average, record-breaking in places. Today a 90-year July record was broken in Roebourne in the WA Pilbara, where it hit 35 degrees, eight above average. Also in the Pilbara today, where fire danger ratings were very high, Telfer reached 33, breaking a 35-year July record. A 30-year July record was broken in Mango Farm in the Darwin-Daly district when it got to 37 degrees. The heat has been building for about a week, partly a result of persistent easterly winds recently. Last Monday Darwin had its warmest July day in 12 years, getting to 34.7. In the next few days some of this heat will travel further south and east across the country as northwesterly winds pick up ahead of a colder change. Parts of western Queensland are likely to warm to the low-to-mid 30s again. Even the mid 20s and warmer is achievable in southeast Queensland and northeast New South Wales, including in Brisbane. If Brisbane gets to 26 degrees on Saturday it will be the warmest day in more than two months and warmest July day in three years.