Hot weather records have begun to tumble in NSW as a powerful front moves across south-east Australia.

Sydney could see its hottest October day on record if the temperature tops the predicted 39 degrees Celsius.

By 2pm, Richmond and Parramatta were close to hitting the forecast top sitting at 38.7C, with Sydney's Observatory Hill about 36C.

Maximum October temperature records were broken in western parts of the city, where it hit 40C in Penrith and Bankstown.

Senior meteorologist at the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) Dean Narramore said the "sea breeze is holding on" at midday.

"But it won't last much longer," he said.

"We are seeing the western suburbs get into the high 30s, even Olympic Park getting to around 36 degrees.

"Bathurst, Lithgow, out through there, they are seeing temperat

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