With the rest of Australia bracing for a heatwave over the next week, today we look back at this unprecedented heat in Katherine to give it some context.

According to the latest records kept by Bureau of Meteorology at Tindal weather station, we have recorded more than 40 days above 40 degrees for the year.

The previous record at Tindal was only half that, with 20 days in a whole year set back in 2013.

Our December average maximum temperature is 35.6 degrees, this month so far it averages 40.8 degrees.

November is traditionally the hottest of the build up months and this year our average was 40.4 degrees against an average of 37.4.

Of course, the rain has kept away as well to make matters worse with a late wet season forecast now for some time, after a poor wet season in Katherine the year before.

The forecast is for 45 degrees in Alice Springs on Thursday while in Katherine it is expected to stay around the 40 degree mark for the rest of the week with a continued chance of storms.

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