Goulburn has broken its December heat record set little over a week ago, reaching 39.0 degrees just before 11.30 this morning, topping the 38.8 it reached early this month.  Records date back to 1971. The annual record is 41.2 which is likely to be exceeded this afternoon with a forecast of 42 degrees. The town has reached 41.0 degrees as of 1.30pm today.    

Moss Vale has reached 40.3, its hottest day of any month of the year with records dating back to 1962.  

Bathurst has reached 39.8, only the hottest since January this year but for the month of December, the hottest since 1904. Today's 39.8 is also  Bathurst's third consecutive day over 38 degrees and the fourth day this month over this temperature.  The last time in December there were three consecutive December days exceeding 38 degrees in Bathurst was in 1904.  Outside of summer, the last time three consecutive days over 38 degrees was recorded in Bathurst was in November 2009.    

These are just three of locations breaking records today.  Combined with fresh and gusty dry westerly winds, fire dangers are reaching Extreme to Catastrophic levels in regions with existing fire activity.  A Total Fire Ban is in effect for the entire state.   Stay up to date with the Rural Fire Service https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/news-and-media/stay-up-to-date.