Hot air and blustery winds will cause a spike in fire danger ratings over Western Australia's Eucla district today.

While Western Australia has recorded temperatures as high as 50.5ºC during February in the past (Mardie in 1998), the mercury hasn't climbed above 43.5ºC so far this month.

However, a hot air mass sweeping through the state's southeast today could push temperatures up to 45ºC in the Eucla region.

Image: Forecast surface temperature on Thursday afternoon, according to the ECMWF-HRES model. The pink area is above 40ºC.

The hot air has been able to build up over the state's interior thanks to a break in the monsoon. Today, northerly winds will transport this inland head down towards the coast ahead of an approaching low pressure trough.

If Eucla reaches its forecast top of 45ºC today it will be the site's hottest day since January 2020 and hottest February day in six years.

The hot and windy weather is also likely to cause Extreme fire danger ratings in the Eucla district today, prompting a fire weather warning.

Image: Forecast fire danger ratings for Thursday, February 18.

Over the border, Nullarbor is tipped to reach 43ºC today and Adelaide could hit 38ºC in the afternoon.

A gusty southwesterly change will sweep through the Eucla district today and this evening, bringing a sharp drop in temperature. A few showers and thunderstorms could also accompany the change.