It is not just Katherine feeling the building heat as the dry season comes to an end, with above average temperatures forecast for the rest of Australia until January 2020.
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Katherine is expected to hit a top of 39 today and soar into the 40's during the first week of October, as predictions of a late wet season remain.
Senior climatologist from the Bureau of Meteorology said the dry conditions have been felt across most parts of Australia.
"Our northern rainfall outlooks suggest the first rains for the NT and Queensland are likely to arrive later than usual this year.
"The temperature outlook for October to December suggest that days are very likely to remain warmer than average across Australia, this also means there is an increased chance of early heatwaves and windy days will see very high fire danger."
He said the positive Indian Ocean Dipole continues to be the major climate driver.
"With the warmest waters well away from Australia our typical climate patterns have shifted well away from the country.
"The last months of 2019 are likely to see many areas drier than average, a late arrival of the first northern rains, higher than average temperatures... and an early risk of heatwaves and fires."
The Northern Territory is experiencing its driest year for almost half a century, with many long term residents saying they have never seen the Katherine River so low.
And while the the below average rainfall will put increasing pressure on water storage for Darwin during the next few months, the NT Government's water assessment director, Des Yin Foo said there is little chance of the Katherine River (where Katherine draws its drinking water) coming to a standstill.
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