The last time there were five consecutive days over 40 degrees was in 1979. 

Beginning on Monday with a top of 42.0, it climbed to 45 by midday on Tuesday. 

This week’s temperatures are at least 12-degrees above the summer average.  

With the next few days tipped to hit 45 degrees, the town is about ready to greet its latest weather record. 

A decade ago, in February 2009, the mercury reached 45.2, the hottest day in living memory. Two years ago, in February 2017, Junee came close to exceeding that with a 45.0-degree day.

Unsurprisingly the town’s Aquatic Centre has registered an increase in traffic since the start of the year.

“Numbers started to jump up on Tuesday, [that’s when] the heat really started here,” said centre co-ordinator Ben Brown.

An average of 50 patrons come through at any given time, with the most popular time being between 12 and 2pm, when the waterslide is open.

“That’s when the waterslide is open, so it’s definitely our biggest and busiest time.

 Especially since it's school holidays at the moment,” said Mr Brown.

But the Riverina is not suffering alone. A sweeping heatwave is blistering its tyranny across the nation.

Driven by a trough through the centre of the country, the southern border of South Australia and NSW have been the hardest hit.

A high-pressure system channelling through the Tasman Sea has formed a barrier against cooler air, insulating the inland heat. 

With temperatures in the lower to mid-30s forecast for the weekend, the incoming week is set to deliver some compassion.

”It’s been a long time since we’ve had temperatures this high for this long,” said Wagga Bureau of Meteorology technical officer Bruce Copplestone.

“The cold front coming through on Saturday will be very welcome.”