After a fairly mild summer last year, Sydney and surrounds seems well on its way sizzling beyond any low expectations. The first day of December saw temperatures soar to six above average, topping at 31 degrees. Today it was even hotter, with a maximum temperature of 33, a scorching eight above average. This is the city's hottest December day in three years, and the hottest it's been this early in summer for four years. Around the rest of the Sydney basin, maximums were very similar. Penrith hit 33, as did Parramatta, Homebush and Holsworthy. The coolest suburb was Richmond, topping at a modest 31, and only two above average. For those NSW sea-side residents not enjoying the heat there is a cooler southerly change moving up the coast. Ulladulla dropped about 10 degrees with the change, from 29 degrees to 19. Not only that, but the change brought gusts of up to 76 km/h. The southerly winds look to reach Sydney city between eight and nine o'clock tonight, hopefully preventing a sweaty and uncomfortable night sleep.