While the southeast feels the cold, Sydney and Brisbane could break records for heat in the next few days. Today, Sydney reached a maximum of 25 degrees (7 above average for August). With forecasts of 25 and 27 respectively for Sunday and Monday, that could make it four days in this last month of winter above 25. This has only happened twice before since records began in the mid nineteenth century - in 2007 and 1995. Similarly, Brisbane is set to climb to 29 or above for the next four days - which would make it the only four times this has happened since records began in 2000. For Amberley in western Brisbane, which has records going back to 1942, this has only happened once before - in 1946. The hottest day for the both the northern NSW coast and southeast QLD is likely to be Monday, when hot northwesterly winds ahead of a strong cold front will be at their peak. Though cloud could prevent temperatures reaching as high as forecast, they will certainly be well above average. The large contrast between cold expected for southeast inland and the coastal heat is due to westerly winds losing moisture and warming as they rush down the eastern slopes of the Great Dividing Range.