There’s hot, there's fry an egg on your car roof, and then there's the almost unbearable heat that locals have endured this week in the town of Gascoyne Junction, Western Australia.

The town of barely 100 hardy souls is located two hours from the coast in WA's Gascoyne region and is well accustomed to extreme summer heat.

• Gascoyne Junction’s average January maximum is 40.7°C.
• Gascoyne Junction’s average February maximum is 39.7°C.

But this week's weather has been off the scale, with a three-day run of top temperatures in the vicinity of a sizzling 49°C.

• Sunday, Feb 2, reached 49.0°C.
• Monday, Feb 3, reached 49.2°C.
• Tuesday, Feb 4, reached 48.8°C.

Given that the town’s old record high was 48.8°C, that's three consecutive days on which the record was equalled or exceeded.

"It’s been too hot to go out and jump in the river," Gascoyne Junction's tourism and community development officer Ainsley Hardie told Weatherzone.

"It’s better to stay indoors and turn the cold tap on and have a nice tepid shower.”

Image: The Gascoyne River looks enticing, but heading out for a swim in 49 degrees, not so much. Source: @seanscottphotography.

The 865km-long Gascoyne River is Western Australia's longest natural waterway and while it doesn't always flow, there's a permanent waterhole at Gascoyne Junction. But locals tend to avoid non-essential outdoors activities when the mercury hits the high forties – and that includes popping out for a dip.

"We're used to runs of days in the mid-forties but once it's above 45, it's a big step up and you really feel it," Hardie says. 

Image: Gascoyne Junction is located two hours inland from Carnarvon, in the heart of the pink zone which means max temps of 44°C or higher.

Some local workers have no choice but to continue going about their daily business. The shire of Upper Gascoyne has 2000 kilometres of roads and the work of maintaining them doesn't stop for road crews. Nor does farm work slow down. If anything, there’s more to do – as it's essential to check that windmills are working and cattle have access to water.

Another uncomfortable aspect of this week’s weather has been the high minimums. February's average low is 24.4°C but this week, the mercury has regularly stayed above 30°C overnight.

So while many Australians will be reading this in air-conditioned comfort, spare a thought for people in Gascoyne Junction and nearby areas. The good news for locals is that the weather is starting to moderate.

Image: It has been a scorcher, plane and simple. Source: @seanscottphotography.

After expected maximums this Thursday and Friday of 47°C, Sunday's high is predicted to be a positively balmy 42°C in Gascoyne Junction, with similar conditions for the first few days of next week.

"We won't know what to do with ourselves when the 'cool change' arrives on Sunday," Hardie quips. You sense she's only half joking.